Should the San Antonio Spurs pursue T.J. Warren this summer?

One NBA writer thinks the San Antonio Spurs would be a good fit for Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren.

Now in his seventh year in the NBA, Warren is best known for becoming "the Michael Jordan of the NBA Bubble". Beginning the games in Orlando with a monster 53-point performance, Warren ended up with this stat-line through 10 games in the NBA's restart after the COVID-19 shutdown.

26.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.4 APG

The dominant stretch was part of a career year for the 28-year-old, who averaged 19.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last year for the Pacers. Unfortunately, an injury he suffered last December ended his follow-up season just as it was getting started.

After undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot in January, Warren still has no timetable for a return. The Pacers' early struggles without him paired with his expiring contract have led to some within The Athletic NBA staff (subscription required) thinking he may get traded.

While I'm not sure the Spurs would go that route, I could see a pursuit taking place this summer if he remains in Indiana as an unrestricted free agent.

"The Spurs would be a fascinating destination for Warren," said The Athletic's Danny Leroux in a free agency piece (subscription required) on Friday.

As one of the few teams that will have cap space next season, much of what they'll have available for free agents will depend on what they decide to do with Lonnie Walker. Still, there's intrigue in adding someone like Warren to the roster.

What would Warren bring to the San Antonio Spurs?

First and foremost, T.J. Warren is a proven scorer and seemed to be hitting his offensive groove when he suffered his injury. In his last three games before the incident, he was averaging 19 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Warren's 6-8, 220-pound frame would add toughness to the lineup and help the Spurs establish another go-to guy when they desperately need a bucket.

T.J. also shot an impressive 41.4% from the outside over the last two seasons on 3.7 attempts per game. As we all know, that skill is more valuable than ever in today's NBA.

What are the drawbacks to acquiring Warren?

Injuries are always a concern with guys that have been in the league for a while. Warren had multiple foot injuries beginning in August 2020 and ending with his more serious injury in December. He's only recently out of a walking boot after his foot didn't heal as quickly as expected initially.

We'll know more about whether a pursuit by the Spurs is worth it once he's able to make his return to the court. If he's looking 100% by next summer and is playing relatively near the level he was playing at before, he should get some serious consideration.

If Walker becomes to pricy for the Spurs, Warren certainly would be quite a consolation if he's anything like he was in the NBA bubble. Keep your eyes on him as he looks to return to the court late in the season.