The Arizona Republic

Warren cashes in

Ex-Sun paying off big for Pacers this season

- Duane Rankin MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC

Warren is coming back to Phoenix looking to show what his value really is – and knock off the Suns in the process.

Then Suns traded him and a second round pick (32nd overall) to Indiana for “cash considerat­ions” on draft night this past summer.

Not another player. Not a first-round pick.

Cash. lacking.

Something the

Suns aren’t

So, it looked like they just gave up on a talent who can score with the best of them, although he has been injury prone.

Warren was probably best somewhere else. He needed a change of scenery. While I think he wouldn’t have thrived in the .5 offense under Monty Williams, and the Suns now have a team on the same vibe.

Not to say Warren wouldn’t have fit in, but not as seamlessly as the players they added over the summer.

This has turned out to be best for both sides. Averaging 18.1 points, Warren alTJ

ready has played in more games this season (44) than he did all of last season (43).

So he’s stayed healthy and continues to do what he does best – get buckets.

However, the details of the trade didn’t set well with Warren. The guy who would rather lay flat on a bed of nails than talk to the media let it be known he was upset.

“I’m ready to show the whole NBA— and not just the Suns for making the wrong decision, that the Pacers made the right decision,” said Warren before the season. “I’m worth more than cash considerat­ions. It’s on me to prove it. But the Suns messed up.”

He’s worth more – and trust me, Warren wants to stick it to his former team, but he and the Pacers are catching the Suns at a time when they’re playing well.

Don’t think Phoenix is going to just let him come in, drop 25 or more and leave with victory.

 ??  ?? Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. blocks a shot by Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge on Monday night.
Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. blocks a shot by Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge on Monday night.
 ??  ?? The Suns’ Devin Booker loses the ball against the Spurs on Monday night.
The Suns’ Devin Booker loses the ball against the Spurs on Monday night.

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