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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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November 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) attempts a shot against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Los Angeles Clippers

Disclaimer: Though there are plenty of reasons to trade Blake Griffin (and plenty of trade scenarios to go along with those reasons), it’s highly unlikely the Los Angeles Clippers move their best player before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. But if they do entertain that possibility, the Suns should be one of the first teams to pick up the phone.

McDonough has stated over and over again that the Suns will be aggressive in pursuing top talent to bring to Phoenix, and the they’d be as well suited as anyone (other than the Boston Celtics) to make Doc Rivers an attractive offer.

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    • In Markieff Morris, the Clippers would be getting their replacement for Griffin in the starting lineup. Keef is nowhere near being the top-10 scorer, passer or all-around player that Griffin is for his position, but Morris can still produce at a high level in the right environment and he’s on a bargain contract. He’s also a better defender and passer than he’s given credit for, even if he doesn’t have three-point range.

    In Mirza Teletovic, the Clippers get a stretch-4 who leads the league in made three-pointers among bench players and would be a perfect fit for the Clippers’ new spread offense. He’s a poor defender, but good luck defending a Chris Paul–DeAndre Jordan pick-and-roll with J.J. Redick and Teletovic flanking them on the wings.

    Tucker would provide Lob City with another three-point threat, someone who could come in and start right away for a team that’s been starting Luc Richard Mbah a Moute at the 3. If Phoenix threw in a couple of their extra draft picks, that’d be quite a handsome haul for the Clippers.

    The Suns, on the other hand, would be getting rid of a disgruntled Morris, cashing in on Teletovic’s all-time high value and freeing Tucker by allowing him to show what he can do on a winning team. Giving up future first rounders is a necessary evil to get a top-10 player to build around, and C.J. Wilcox would ensure Phoenix has enough able bodies for the rest of the season with so many players out injured.

    However, if the Clippers did put Blake Griffin on the trade block, they might be able to get a better offer from a team like the Celtics. Trading for a potential head case like Morris is a concern for any team, and Lob City’s success without Griffin could just be a small sample size wonder that will soon regress to the mean.

    Next: No. 3