Toronto Raptors 2016-17 player grades: The bench
By Nate Wolf
P.J. Tucker
The Raptors gave up Jared Sullinger and two second-round picks to get Tucker at the trade deadline. The goal? Get someone to defend LeBron James. Seriously. That was the rationale.
Tucker lived up to his sterling defensive reputation in Toronto. At 6’6,” 245 pounds, he’s an absolute load. But he’s also reasonably quick for his size and tries like hell. Tucker and Norman Powell make about as feisty a wing pairing as you can get.
The 32-year-old played well in the first round against Milwaukee, when he reduced Giannis Antetokounmpo from “supernova” to “really great player.” He was less effective against the Cavaliers, mostly because LeBron James is LeBron James. Tucker gave LeBron everything he could handle, especially in Game 4, but the Raptors were always overmatched.
Tucker's defense down the stretch was incredible. Saved the game for TOR.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 22, 2017
Overall, Tucker brought defense and toughness to a Raptors team that needed both. He didn’t give them enough shooting, canning just 32.1 percent of this threes during the playoffs, although he’s not a knockdown guy anyways. Over the course of April and May, he was probably Toronto’s most indispensable role player.
Tucker is a free agent this summer and his future mirrors that of Patterson. At 32, he’s too old for a rebuilding team. If Lowry stays, Tucker becomes valuable, but perhaps not more valuable or cost-efficient than Patterson and Ibaka.
Defensive wings are expensive, and the underpaid Tucker is still awaiting his first big contract. Solomon Freaking Hill just got a $48 million deal. Unless DeMarre Carroll is traded, Tucker may be better off grabbing eight-figures elsewhere.