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Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Reported Interest in PJ Tucker

By Harrison Carter

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on February 09, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on February 09, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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As the March 25th NBA trade deadline approaches, rumors are starting to swirl. As most contending teams have limited assets and cap room, including the Milwaukee Bucks, it will be the smaller, less flashy moves that will have to make the difference.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, one of those potential moves could come from the Bucks’ pursuit of PJ Tucker of the Houston Rockets:

"“League sources told me in November that the Bucks were in pursuit of P.J. Tucker from the Rockets. Their interest remains today.”"

On top of that, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN would also add:

"“There’s a lot of interest among contenders in Tucker, who’s in the last year of his deal. The Miami Heat … Milwaukee, Brooklyn, several others. One thing I’m told is Houston wants back, not picks, but a player that they can plug back into their lineup.”"

Tucker, 35, is one of the more realistic trade options for a Milwaukee Bucks team that is hard-capped and out of first-round draft picks to trade due to the Jrue Holiday trade over the offseason.

Tucker also has a contract that can be traded with relative ease compared to other potential trade targets, as he is in the last year of his current deal that will earn him roughly $8 million this year, according to Spotrac.

As for his fit with the Bucks, Tucker would have a seamless transition to Milwaukee. After Houston traded away Clint Capela to Atlanta in February of last year, the Rockets played extreme small ball the rest of the season, which most of the time put Tucker at center.

Tucker proved he is a more than capable defender of big men much taller than him. And putting Tucker at the center spot with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the power forward slot, or vice versa would be a great interior defending combo.

Additionally, Tucker can spread the floor on the offensive side relatively well. Tucker is a career 36% 3-point shooter who would get more open looks from the corner out of Giannis drive-and-kicks. Although he is shooting just 36.5% from the field and 32% from 3 with 4.5 points a game this year, those numbers would surely increase after a move to the Milwaukee Bucks.

With Brook Lopez slowing down, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see the Bucks being able to effectively switch on screens in the playoffs. This is where PJ Tucker would help.

A deal of DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson for Tucker works, but will that be appealing to Houston?

If Houston does end up wanting some draft picks, it becomes a matter of whether or not the Bucks want to further empty their draft capital and include some of their four remaining second-round picks that they have available.

dark. Next. Bucks Film Room: DiVincenzo Finishing vs. Kings

Do you think the Bucks should trade for Tucker? Is he enough of a difference-maker to help fuel a Bucks drive deep into the playoffs?

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