Every year, the NBA trade deadline gives teams a chance to bolster their rosters. This year, the Phoenix Suns emerged as arguably the biggest winner of the deadline, as they landed superstar Kevin Durant. The Suns also acquired forwards T.J. Warren and Darius Bazley. Warren and Bazley have the potential to be key players for Phoenix, as each player has a unique skill set. On Monday, Warren and Bazley spoke with the media for their introductory press conference.
T.J. Warren: A Proven Scorer
After Phoenix’s trade with the Brooklyn Nets was announced, all the attention was, understandably, surrounding Kevin Durant. However, acquiring Warren was critical for Phoenix, as the 6’8” forward is an outstanding scorer. During Monday’s press conference, head coach Monty Williams highlighted Warren’s “ability to just get a bucket.” Warren can score in a variety of ways and has been very efficient over his career. Although Warren missed nearly two full years to injury before returning in December 2022, he has looked solid this season. With the Nets, Warren averaged 9.5 points on 51% shooting in only 18.8 minutes per game.
The Suns’ 2014 first-round pick also has experience playing with Phoenix’s top two scorers. Warren played with Devin Booker for several years in Phoenix and was teammates with Durant in Brooklyn this season. At Monday’s press conference, Warren mentioned how he can make an impact by taking pressure off Booker, Durant, and Chris Paul. While Warren’s role on the team isn’t clear yet, he likely will see most of his minutes off the bench. Having a player like Warren come in and get buckets will be huge for the Suns, especially come playoff time.
Bazley Brings Athleticism and Defense to Phoenix
In a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, the Suns landed forward Darius Bazley. The 2019 first-round pick brings versatility, athleticism, and defense to Phoenix, and he can play multiple positions. After trading away Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges, Bazley’s length and versatility will be crucial for the Suns. Bazley has an impressive 7’0” wingspan and the ability to guard multiple positions, a vital skill in today’s NBA. During Monday’s press conference, Bazley highlighted how he can make an impact with his athleticism on offense.
Like T.J. Warren, Bazley has experience playing with one of Phoenix’s star players. During his rookie season, Bazley played with future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, who is now the Suns’ starting point guard. Having experience with Phoenix’s floor general is certainly a plus for the newly acquired forward. With the infusion of Warren’s scoring and Bazley’s athleticism and versatility, Phoenix did well to make up for the losses of Johnson and Bridges. Not to mention the addition of Kevin Durant, which immediately takes this team to another level. Hopefully, for Suns fans, the newly-formed superteam can bring a championship to Phoenix for the first time in NBA history.
