Why Attempting a Trade For P.J. Tucker Makes a Lot of Sense for the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks probably don’t have the assets or the inclination to pull off another big mid-season trade, but will still be working the phones and looking to upgrade the roster. One player they should inquire about is P.J. Tucker of the Phoenix Suns.

The Dallas Mavericks have outperformed expectations so far this season, and with some prominent figures in the usually loaded Western Conference stumbling out of the gate, are in a position where a deep run in the playoffs could be possible with a few cards falling into place and some minor upgrades to the roster.

One plausible move the Mavericks could make is swapping Raymond Felton for P.J. Tucker of the Phoenix Suns. It makes sense for both sides.

Why Phoenix says yes

The Suns, predicted by some to be a playoff team after acquiring Tyson Chandler to shore up the interior defense and provide some veteran leadership, are in complete disarray. The team is terrible, currently sitting in 12th place in the west. They’ve recently fired two assistants, and head coach Jeff Hornacek could be gone any day now. Markieff Morris wants out and isn’t shy about showing it. And the star player just went down for the season to a torn meniscus.

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It’s safe to assume the Suns will be sellers at the deadline, looking to shed some veteran contracts to make way for a youth movement in the second half of the schedule and a high lottery pick. T.J. Warren is their small forward of the future, and rookie Devin Booker has spent time there as well. Tucker just doesn’t fit into the equation.

Tucker’s contract runs through next season, but is only guaranteed at $1.5 million as long as he’s waived by June 30th. Meaning, Phoenix might not be chomping at the bit to unload him, but are surely open to freeing up that $3.5 or so million by acquiring Felton’s expiring deal because they have big, long money committed to Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, and Chandler. Any little bit helps.

The Suns could use another guard now that Eric Bledsoe is done for the season so Felton helps there if they think they have a shot at turning things around and reaching the postseason. He had a nice rapport with Tyson Chandler in New York and spent time with him in Dallas, so there’s already an element of familiarity.

But if, as suspected, tanking is underway, Felton contributes as well. He’s been a consummate pro since coming over to Dallas in the trade with Chandler. Felton won’t complain from the bench while the youth movement is in full effect, and could even aid in the development of some of the young guards on the roster while he rides out the remaining months of his deal.

Tucker is a good role player with a pretty team-friendly deal so Phoenix will likely field quite a few calls regarding him. But this move makes some sense for them.

Why Dallas says yes

I think this would be a no-brainer for the Mavericks because Tucker has the type of game that could help them in so many ways. One reason Felton has been so helpful for the Mavericks this season is his ability to play both guard spots, and Tucker brings the same type of versatility. He’s started 36 games so far for the Suns at the small forward spot, but has spent time at shooting guard and power forward as well.

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The real evidence of Tucker’s versatility comes at the defensive end. He reminds me a lot of Wesley Matthews there, getting the most out of his toughness, tremendous strength, and basketball IQ on each possession. And like Matthews he’s a little “undersized”. Tucker checks in at just about 6’6″, but his wingspan helps keep smaller guards in front of him and make up for height disparities against bigger forwards down low.

Seriously, watch him deny DeMarcus Cousins the ball at the 1:40 mark in the video below.

Tucker is also a strong rebounder, averaging better than five a game in each of the last three seasons. His tenacity in that area is something the Mavericks could always use, and would allow Rick Carlisle to utilize him in a lot of ways and a variety of lineups. The Mavericks have really struggled against the more mobile power forwards they have faced. Tucker helps solve some of those issues.

The 30-year old can also do some things on the offensive end, though his numbers don’t jump off the page. He’s currently shooting better than 35% from three-point distance, connecting on almost 45% of his attempts from the right corner. Tucker works inside, too. The majority of his attempts this season (81) have come in the restricted area, where he is shooting a respectable 58%.

Chandler Parsons hasn’t looked great on his road to recovery, and Rick Carlisle just doesn’t seem to want to play Justin Anderson. Tucker adds depth, defense, rebounding, and outside shooting to a team that could really use it all. He might not be the scorer Dallas would like coming off the bench, but if this deal comes along the Mavericks should jump at it.