P.J. Tucker will join the Knicks on a 10-day contract, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Tucker talked with several teams over the past week before deciding on New York, Charania adds.
The 39-year-old forward will bring defensive toughness and three-point shooting to the Knicks, who are in a tight race for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference. He also has a wealth of postseason experience — including a championship with Milwaukee in 2021 — that will be valuable if he winds up getting signed for the rest of the season.
New York has been carrying an open 15-man roster spot all season, so no other move will be necessary to add Tucker. The team is roughly $540K below the second apron, and Tucker’s 10-day deal will cost $119,972, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
Tucker isn’t expected to sign today, but he will at some point during the current road trip, tweets Steve Popper of Newsday. The Knicks don’t play again until Monday at Sacramento, and they want to get as many games as possible out of Tucker during the 10 days he’ll be active. If he signs on Monday, he’ll be eligible to appear in five games before the contract expires March 19.
Ian Begley of SNY hears that the Knicks view Tucker as an “integral addition” to a locker room that doesn’t have an experienced veteran of his stature (Twitter link). The team was also looking for someone with an “enforcer mentality,” Begley adds.
Tucker, who hasn’t played yet this season, started off with the Clippers after picking up his $11.54MM player option over the summer. An agreement was reached in early October that he would remain away from the team while his agent worked with the front office to find a trade.
Nothing materialized until February 1 when he was sent to Utah as part of a four-player deal. He was traded again five days later, being shipped to Toronto as part of the five-team Jimmy Butler deal. He remained inactive with the Raptors until he was waived February 28.
The Knicks will be the eighth team for Tucker, who made his NBA debut with Toronto during the 2006/07 season. He has appeared in 883 games with career averages of 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists and shooting splits of .425/.366/.750.
I love this for the Knicks. And I think Thibs will actually play him.
Pajama time!
Why not? He did look absolutely done a couple of years ago, but maybe he found a pill. For 10 days, PT available, there really is no risk.
Warren not getting the spot is a mild surprise. Not because it was telegraphed by the media, but because the team’s moves seemed to be in accordance with it. Just another reminder that Rose & Co. give the media and fans nothing, other than a misleading hint if the opportunity arises.
Wright and Tucker, on paper, make sense since they’re one of the worst teams in the league in perimeter defense. But, of course, to make a difference they’d have to play.
It’s only a 10-day. Warren will probably get a look.
With Mitch still adjusting. Need another
Big, size and D. He can help. So why not. Have to play Precious more Thibs.
He could work as a backup PF.
Warren should be given a consideration. Maybe waiving Wright.
Waive Anton Watson or MarJon. No need for two 24 yr old SF’s on two way contracts