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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 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) reacts against Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans continue to foolishly push for a playoff spot (and an inevitable first round sweep), but a deal like this would help position them for the long-term.

Ryan Anderson has been the Pelicans’ best player other than Anthony Davis, averaging 17.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on 39.4 percent shooting from three-point range. But he’s also an unrestricted free agent this summer and may not be a part of New Orleans’ future plans. If the Pelicans want to avoid overpaying to re-sign him, they should trade him now rather than let him walk for nothing.

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Alexis Ajinca is a quality backup center who was re-signed to a four-year deal last summer, but everyone on this roster other than the Brow should be expendable. If the Pelicans can turn a backup center and a soon-to-be free agent into a capable 4 on a bargain contract AND a quality 3-and-D player like Tucker, they should at least consider it.

New Orleans would be able to re-sign Tucker in two summers and start structuring a more defensive-minded team around the Brow provided they take a more mindful, long-term approach to contending. Morris would be locked in for the long haul, and he’d push Davis to the 5, where the Pelicans are hopeful he’ll be able to anchor the defense in the future.

This deal would work on some levels for the Suns as well. Though they’d have to pay to re-sign RyNo to a large extension that doesn’t really mesh with their youth movement, the Suns have to spend their money somewhere. It’s fairly doubtful they’ll be able to woo any big-name free agents given how miserable this season has been.

Anderson is the perfect stretch-4 for the Suns’ offensive system and Ajinca would provide them with a backup for Alex Len, thereby making Tyson Chandler expendable in a separate deal. This trade probably won’t happen as the Pelicans continue their stubborn push for a playoff spot, but it would make some sense for both sides.

Next: No. 2