Target #1: P.J. Tucker – Houston Rockets
Given his versatility, defensive skill-set, and his natural ability to play virtually any position on the court, P.J. Tucker is a guy who should not just be on the Bucks’ radar, but on every team’s radar. With the Rockets looking like they are heading towards a rebuild, especially if they trade James Harden, it would make sense that they would listen to offers for the 35-year-old forward.
Last season, Tucker averaged 6.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and shot 35.8% from three-point range. His ability to constantly get better as a three-point shooter has been quite impressive and Tucker has turned himself into one of the league’s best corner-three shooters.
Not to mention, Tucker is one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league. Last season, Tucker ranked ninth in the league out of all forwards in defensive real plus minus, a stat that tracks a player’s average impact on his team’s defensive performance by the points allowed per 100 offensive possessions.
If the Bucks were able to go out and acquire Tucker, it would give them a great defender and yet another knockdown shooter in the corner. Three-point shooting is something the Bucks need to improve on this year, as they ranked 18th in the league last season, shooting 35.5% from three-point range and Tucker could definitely help them in this area.
Even with Bobby Portis signing to be the backup power forward behind Giannis this year, Tucker could still play a major role as the Bucks could go with a smaller lineup and move Giannis to the center position to have Tucker on the court at the same time. There are endless possibilities with how they could utilize Tucker’s talents, which is why he is a player they must try and trade for.
Acquiring Tucker would make the Bucks a very tough team to beat given their defensive nature on the wing and in their front-court. Up and down their roster, they have tried to put together rotations of “3-and-D” type players and this is exactly where Tucker would fit into the equation.
