Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren is disputing a recent report suggesting he demanded a trade following the team's decision to hire Nate Bjorkgren as head coach.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported Warren, who played for Bjorkgren during his stint with the Phoenix Suns, was dismayed after the team hired Bjorkgren to replace Nate McMillan. Warren allegedly wasn't consulted before the decision was made and responded by asking out of Indiana.
But Warren thinks the report is a bunch of malarkey:
“There’s a lot of nonsense on this app today…” Warren tweeted on Thursday afternoon.
Fischer's initial report also stated Warren opted to have season-ending surgery in part to avoid playing for Bjorkgren.
However, J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star reported the team knew there was only a slim chance Warren could from the stress fracture in his foot suffered in January.
When TJ Warren was declared out, there was a slim chance that he'd return. I was told after the plug was pulled #Pacers wanted to keep him in engaged w/rehab on the long shot he could return. Asked a person w/knowledge of the situation if he wanted a trade. Response: "That's BS."
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) May 6, 2021
This should say: "I was told BEFORE the plug was pulled" ….
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) May 6, 2021
Fischer later followed up on his story, tweeting a source “close to the situation” said Warren never requested a trade and is intent on rejoining the Pacers next year.
https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1390387305832239105
This is all becoming quite confusing, even more so because it remains to be seen whether Bjorkgren will still be Indiana's head coach next season.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Bjorkgren's future is in jeopardy at the tail end of what has been a tumultuous year.
The Pacers are currently the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference. They would do well to make up ground in these next few games, because a three-game stretch including the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers still awaits.
Indiana will have to do it without Warren, who can only watch the drama unfold and shake his head at all the smoke coming from the NBA rumor mill.
Follow Us
Subscribe