Nets Forward Won't Be Ready For Opening Night

One of the Brooklyn Nets' key offseason free agent signings will not be ready to go when the season opens in about three weeks.

The Nets signed small forward TJ Warren to a one-year, $2.6M contract, knowing he hadn't really played for two straight years while recovering from stress fractures in his foot.

But according to head coach Steve Nash, it's all good, and this was known all along.

"I think we're going to assess again in November, but he's doing great," Nash said. "He's building up. We knew this going in. And we also don't want to take big risks with T.J. because he's been out for two years. So it's a process that we want to be very confident in and make a firm organization not to rush him."

The 29-year-old likely won't be in the lineup until November, as Nash said, but when he is, they're hoping he can pick up where he left off in 2020. In his last three full seasons, Warren averaged close to 20 points per game, over 4 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He also shot over 40% from 3-point range in his last two full seasons.

TJ Warren will be crucial for the Nets this year 👇🏽 All around game. Can go get a bucket, defend and play within a system. If that foot is healthy they get a third weapon who’s capable of going for 25 in their lineup on any night. pic.twitter.com/KT4gJQtVjd
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) September 3, 2022