T.J. Warren’s improved versatility is key for the rising Phoenix Suns

The past six months have marked a period of transition for the Phoenix Suns. With an unproven head coach, a crock of new players and the No. 1 overall pick in center Deandre Ayton, forward T.J. Warren was nearly forgotten.

Now three games into his fifth season, Warren is flourishing as a complimentary scorer despite limited minutes.

Through three games, the 6-foot-8 wing is averaging 20 points on 58.5 percent shooting from the field. Generally viewed as a non-threat from deep over the course of his career, Warren has come out of the gates blazing hot from behind the arc. So far, he’s connected on 8-of-14 three-point attempts in just 70 minutes played.

For reference, Warren played 2,142 minutes over 62 games last season and finished with 20 total three-pointers made. With a solid NBA frame and an improved three-point shot, Warren serves as an integral member of the team’s core rotation.

“You can see what he’s worked on in the offseason,” veteran center Tyson Chandler said. “You know he added the three to his game. T.J. was all mid-range and to the cup, so now he’s able to spread the floor a little more.

“He always can score. Now also I think adding to the mix a new style of basketball – he’s playing the four a little bit – I don’t think there’s many fours that can keep up with him or contain him.”

Although the sample size is small, Warren has become a small-ball aficionado in a short amount of time. Since Phoenix has a deep rotation of valuable small forwards, Warren has spent 41 percent of his time at power forward and a whopping 59 percent of his minutes at center, according to Basketball Reference’s position estimates.

Despite the size and strength disadvantage, Warren has forced defenders to step out and guard the perimeter. This draws opposing big men away from the paint, creating easier lanes to the basket for the rest of the team. In turn, drive-and-kick chances have increased for the perimeter-oriented Suns.

Star guard Devin Booker has certainly noticed a change in Warren’s approach to the game.

“He’s taken it upon himself to go out there and play hard regardless of the situation every night,” Booker said. “It’s showed, he’s performed at a high level every night and we know that we need him if we want to reach the places we want to go.”