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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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Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) handles the ball in the second half against Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bulls defeated the Suns 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Chicago Bulls

Joakim Noah‘s future in the Windy City is uncertain, and in the wake of his shoulder surgery that will cost him 4-6 months, he may have played his last game for the Chicago Bulls already. With Noah and Pau Gasol both hitting free agency this summer, and Chicago reportedly interested in re-signing Gasol, perhaps the Bulls will consider moving Noah before the trade deadline to avoid losing him for nothing.

To be fair, trading an injured player is never easy, especially one who already has an extensive injury history. But the Suns would make some sense as a Noah trade partner on several levels, especially if they were able to unload Tyson Chandler in the process.

From Phoenix’s perspective, Chandler has mostly been a disappointment after he agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract over the summer. Chandler is averaging 5.5 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, he’s had problems staying healthy and he’s looked a step slow in general.

Trading Chandler paves the way for Alex Len to start, whether the Suns choose to try and re-sign Noah in free agency or not. This deal would really be about getting the remaining three years of Chandler’s contract off the books, adding a serviceable perimeter shooter in Mike Dunleavy for the next two seasons and throwing another future draft pick in the pile.

If the Suns did choose to re-sign Noah, Len would still have a former Defensive Player of the Year as a locker room mentor, and you can be guaranteed Noah would demand the utmost effort and defense from his new teammates in Phoenix. If anyone has a chance to keep Noah healthy as he approaches age 31, it’s the Suns’ warlock training staff.

For the Bulls, they’d have a better solution at the 3-spot in P.J. Tucker, who is shooting 35 percent from three-point range on the season and would help bolster Chicago’s top-10 defense. Chandler is one long-term contract Chicago might be hesitant to take on, especially since he’d limit Bobby Portis‘ newfound minutes, but he’d be a great secondary big and he’d provide insurance in case Gasol leaves this summer.

Since Noah and Dunleavy both need to prove they can still compete at a high level, McDonough would probably try to get a draft pick of some sort involved. However, that’s easily the kind of thing that could stall any hypothetical trade talks, especially if the Bulls view Chandler’s long-term salary as the less than ideal contract it is.

Next: No. 5