With PJ Tucker potentially on the way to the Free Agency, the Heat prospect the market in an effort to bolster their wing. Miami would also have checked a name not necessarily expected on its list: TJ Warren, who has disappeared from the radar for two years following having delivered a good 2019-20 season. Trying to revive Jimmy Butler’s best friend would be cheeky, but the bet might be a winner for the Floridians.
We told you regarding it earlier today, the Heat may see PJ Tucker slip through their fingers at the opening of the Free Agency this Thursday. A fairly significant loss if confirmed, when you see how much PJ stuck to the mentality of the Florida franchise. To anticipate this possible departure, Miami has therefore activated several files of potential replacements. And one of the first names that came out may come as a surprise. According to the Sun Sentinelthe Heat would be interested in TJ Warren to complete their wing. The former Pacers had released a quality 2019-20 season in Indiana, with 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists at 53% including 40% from the parking lot, all this before releasing XXL performances in Mickey’s bubble. Unfortunately, we have hardly seen him on the court since, in particular because of a foot injury which forced him to a white season in 2021-2022 (and only four games the previous season). After these two years of blackout, the winger would therefore represent a big bet taken by Pat Riley in the hope that he finds his level of a few seasons ago. But following somewhat reviving former teammate Victor Oladipo, the option to do the same with Warren is far from far-fetched. Especially since the player’s salary expectations will not be high given his situation.
The Miami Heat have shown interest in TJ Warren, per @IraHeatBeat pic.twitter.com/5OldtBfhqm
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 28, 2022
Moreover, if the arrival of the former Pacer were to be confirmed in the coming days, the Florida locker room might find itself in a rather comical situation. Indeed, there is a certain passive between Warren and… Jimmy Butler, the boss of the South Beach roster. The clash between the two players dates precisely from the last real season of TJ. A beautiful evening in January 2020 during which the two players visibly abused the trashtalking, to make the meeting explosive. The tension rose seriously and the referees had to separate the two players, sent back to their respective benches. But barely returned to the field a little later, they then continued their provocations. Smarter, Jimmy Buckets finally came out twice victorious in his duel once morest Warren by having him expelled, before going for the victory in Indiana. If the ex-Pacer has since declared that this episode belonged to the past, we want to see what a possible reunion between the two guys on the side of the FTX Arena would give.
Pat Riley and Heat management have also planned other solutions for position 3, and they would concern Jae Crowder and Danilo Gallinari according to Bleacher Report. Crowder might thus return to Florida following a rather successful first stint in 2020. But the former Celtic is still under contract with Phoenix next season. This is also the case for Gallinari, whose future with the Hawks is anything but fixed. It would therefore be necessary to organize a trade to recover one of the two players.
A few hours before the opening of the Free Agency, several options are on the table on the Miami side. The priority remains to keep PJ Tucker, but it will not be easy since there are people on the file. In case of departure, the option of relaunching a TJ Warren is considered, unless the management decides to make a move to bring Jae Crowder or Danilo Gallinari back to town. The situation is still unclear, but it should clear up quickly by the end of the week.
Sources texte : Sun Sentinel, Bleacher Report
