Warren’s resume this season resembled a blueprint for any veteran making an attempt to claw their method again into the league. He was named to the G League Winter Showcase All-Match Staff, shot almost 55 p.c from the sphere in the course of the occasion, and helped information Westchester to their second consecutive Showcase Cup title.
All through the season, his scoring remained elite and his availability was constant. He additionally did it on the again of an Exhibit 10 deal, a contract with no assured NBA alternative.
However, NBA groups largely regarded elsewhere. Franchises prioritized youthful gamers on two-way contracts or gambled on uncooked prospects with upside. Even the Knicks, who had Warren of their system, opted to not elevate the 31-year-old regardless of his standout type. As an alternative, they signed 39-year-old P.J. Tucker to a 10-day contract in March.
Following Tucker’s signing, stories surfaced that Warren had parted methods with Westchester. This transfer mirrored his frustration with being repeatedly ignored for an NBA call-up.
New York had loaded up their G League affiliate with veteran expertise, deciding on Matt Ryan and Landry Shamet as the highest two picks within the 2024 G League Draft. All three — Ryan, Shamet and Warren — started the season in Westchester.
Ryan acquired the primary call-up, adopted by Shamet, however Warren’s name by no means arrived.
It is a acquainted story for veterans on the fringes. Manufacturing is not the first forex in right now’s NBA; potential typically trumps efficiency. At 31, Warren’s age and harm historical past seemingly labored towards him — at the same time as his play steered he nonetheless had lots to supply.
He final appeared within the NBA in 2024 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, however his most memorable run got here within the 2020 Orlando bubble. There, he dropped a career-high 53 factors in a single sport, averaged 31 throughout eight seeding contests, and earned All-Bubble First Staff honors.
That model of Warren by no means totally returned on the NBA stage. However within the G League this season, he got here shut and proved he might be efficient if referred to as up.
