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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For P.J. Tucker

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2016 NBA trade deadline approaching, here are five teams that should consider trading for Phoenix Suns small forward P.J. Tucker.

NBA
Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

As the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline approaches, there are few teams expected to be bigger sellers than the Phoenix Suns. A year that began with playoff aspirations has quickly unraveled into a lost season, with the Suns expected to join the lowest of the low in the chase for Ben Simmons.

The Suns may not get far enough to secure the No. 1 overall draft pick, but since Dec. 20, they have the league’s worst record (2-21), offensive rating (96.8 points per 100 possessions) and defensive rating (111.1). At this point, it has to be tempting for general manager Ryan McDonough to think about abandoning his build-from-the-middle scheme and committing to a youth movement featuring Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, Alex Len, T.J. Warren, Archie Goodwin and this year’s draft pick.

Phoenix has plenty of desirable assets for contenders to be interested in, and if the Suns are sellers at the deadline, McDonough could add to his treasure trove of extra draft picks. Markieff Morris has been involved in Suns trade rumors for months now; Mirza Teletovic is shooting 40.2 percent from three-point range this season; even Jon Leuer could help a team in need of depth.

But one player who’s frequently been overlooked throughout his NBA career is P.J. Tucker, a 3-and-D wing who gives the Suns 100 percent effort and passion on a nightly basis despite the team’s dismal 14-37 record. Just imagine what a hard worker like that could do a team that’s actually competitive.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Toronto Raptors are just one of a few teams expressing interest in bolstering their wing rotation with P.J. Tucker:

Only $1.5 million of Tucker’s $5.3 million salary is guaranteed next season, making him a desirable trade target when combined with his tough defense, gritty hustle on the boards, three-point shooting from the corners and team-first attitude.

Tucker is only averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds on the season, but he brings a lot more to the table than the raw stats suggest and teams trying to catch Golden State and San Antonio at the top of the contender category could use as much strength and depth on the wing as possible.

If and when the Phoenix Suns make their players available through the trade market, here’s a look at five teams (and one honorable mention) that should pick up the phone about P.J. Tucker.

Next: Honorable Mention