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Milwaukee Bucks: Breaking Down the PJ Tucker Trade

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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The Milwaukee Bucks and general manager Jon Horst have shown that if there is a move to be made, they are not afraid to make it.

Yesterday it was announced that the Bucks reportedly agreed to a trade with the Houston Rockets. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks will receive PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs, and get their own unprotected 2022 first-round pick back.

The Rockets will receive DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson, and an unprotected 2023 first-round pick. In addition, the Rockets get to swap its 2021 second-round pick for the Bucks 2021 first-round pick, unless something unforeseen happens and the Bucks finish with the 1 through 9 pick. It is a little bit of a complicated deal, so let’s break down what this trade gives the Bucks.

PJ Tucker to the Milwaukee Bucks

On paper, Tucker should be a really good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks. He has great defensive versatility, as he can guard many positions. The Bucks will most likely use him to switch on screens late in games to replace someone like Brook Lopez who is not mobile enough to switch on screens and guard faster guards.

Tucker also allows the Bucks to play Giannis Antetokounmpo at the 5 spot more often where Giannis has often thrived. The addition of Tucker makes the Bucks a better defensive team. Tucker also brings with him a toughness and desire to win.

As ESPN’s Tim Legler said, “There is something to be said about a guy who will kill himself to win.” That type of intensity is exactly what the Bucks need. Tucker’s toughness may be his best attribute that he brings to Milwaukee.

However, a large part of this trade will be if Tucker bounces back. The 35-year-old has been underwhelming this year. He is averaging 4.4 points a game on 36% shooting from the field and 31% from 3.

The Milwaukee Bucks will hope that entering Tucker onto a championship-caliber team will increase that production and give Tucker added motivation. Tucker has lead the league in made 3s from the corner in the past 5 years, so the Bucks hope that Tucker’s shooting can improve on a team that revolves around spacing.

Rodions Kurucs is apart of the trade as well

Kurucs is a stretch-four from Latvia. Only 23 years old, Kurucs was most effective his rookie year with the Nets where he averaged 8.5 points a game on 45% shooting from the field. Since then, Kurucs has not had much success on the court in limited playing time. It is hard to see any way that Kurucs gets time in the rotation.

The Draft Picks Exchanged

The draft picks in this trade are really interesting, and I give a lot of credit to Horst for using this kind of creativity. The Milwaukee Bucks would be unable to trade their 2023 first-round pick to anyone, but since they received their own 2022 first-round pick, they can trade their 2023 pick.

Additionally, the pick swap that the Rockets can use will hopefully not make a huge difference. The Bucks hope that they will continue to win and that first round pick will be in the 27-30 range.

The Rockets are losers of their last 18 games and are second to last in the West, only ahead of the Timberwolves. The difference between the Bucks first-round pick and the Rockets second-round pick will hopefully be minuscule. ESPN NBA Front Office Insider Bobby Marks gives a much more in depth analysis to the creativity of the trade here.

Roster Outlook Moving Forward

Before this trade, the Milwaukee Bucks were essentially hard capped and unable to participate in the buyout market. With this trade combined with sending Torrey Craig to the Suns for cash considerations, the Bucks are now $3.5 million below the hard cap and have two open roster slots.

The Augustin contract looked like it was going to hinder the Bucks for a couple of years, so credit to Horst for being able to get rid of that contract while still being able to bring talent in. With Augustin gone, however, it does bring up the need for a backup point guard.

With the Bucks now being able to be active in the buyout market and with open roster spots, their backup point guard may come from the buyout market or available free agents. One possible option is Isaiah Thomas, as The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported that the Bucks are a team to watch for IT.

This trade is a testament that the Bucks are willing to get creative to help the roster. I do think this move helps the roster, as I think Tucker will be more motivated playing for a team competing for a championship than a team that has lost 18 straight.

The area that needs to be addressed is the backup point guard. I am not sure if IT is the best solution, but I don’t think it can hurt to visit a workout of his either.

What do you think of the trade? Are the Bucks a better team than before the trade?

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