TJ Warren To Sit Out Final 12 Games, Expected To Return To Pacers In Free Agency

Pacers small forward T.J. Warren is ready to return from two straight stress fractures in his foot but will sit out the final 12 games to prepare for free agency, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Warren, 28, has appeared in just four games over the past two seasons, something that is likely to hurt his market value. While Warren will be an unrestricted free agent, league sources told Hoops Wire they believe he will return to Indiana on a short-term contract unless he receives an unforeseen larger offer.

The Pacers are basically out of contention for even a berth in the play-in tournament and are setting their sights on next season after trading away Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert.

They hope to add a healthy Warren next to the likes of guards Tyrese Haliburton, Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield and others as a starting point entering 2022-23, sources said.

Warren was very good the last time he played a full season, standing out in the 2019-20 Disney bubble. He averaged 20 points on 53 percent shooting that season.

Earlier in the day, the Pacers signed guard/forward Justin Anderson, as we relayed right here.