In what appeared like an innocuous move to open up a roster spot for the stretch-run of the season, the Pacers waived 20-year-old guard Jalen Lecque, presumably bringing a quiet end to the trade deadline, before dropping the significant news that T.J. Warren will be out for the remainder of the season.
Warren, who underwent surgery on January 5 to repair a small left navicular stress fracture, hasn’t appeared in uniform for the Pacers since the end of December, when he emerged from the loss against the Boston Celtics with foot soreness. It’s a tough setback for Warren, who now won’t have a chance this season to build on the momentum he gained playing in the Orlando bubble, scoring 30 or more points in four of his six seeding games.