The New York Knicks are set to add veteran forward PJ Tucker to their roster on a 10-day contract, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Tucker, who is 39 years old, engaged in talks with several teams before ultimately choosing the Knicks. He has not played in any games this season.
At the start of the season, Tucker was with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the team announced in October that he would be away from the squad while they explored better opportunities for him. In February 2024, Tucker was fined $75,000 for publicly requesting a trade.
“I want to be somewhere where I’m needed, wanted and can do it all,” Tucker stated last February. “I don’t know what’s going to happen but I have my fingers crossed and I’m hoping to go somewhere else, whether I get bought out and choose where I go or where I can play.”
This season, Tucker’s wish came true when the Clippers traded him to the Utah Jazz, who then moved him to the Toronto Raptors as part of a five-team trade involving Jimmy Butler. The Raptors later waived Tucker on Feb. 28, making him a free agent.
Since Tucker was waived before March 1, he is eligible to participate in the postseason with a new team. The extent of his stay with the Knicks remains uncertain.
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Tucker’s addition to the team comes at a time when the Knicks are dealing with injuries to guard Jalen Brunson’s ankle and center Ariel Hukporti’s meniscus. Additionally, caution is being exercised with the return of big man Mitchell Robinson. It remains to be seen how much playing time Tucker will receive, given coach Tom Thibodeau’s tendency to stick with a short rotation, but the Knicks could benefit from added depth.
If Tucker does take the court, the team will be looking for him to bring toughness and defensive versatility as they jockey for playoff seeding. Currently, the Knicks are in third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 40-23, but their lead over the surging Milwaukee Bucks has narrowed to just three games.
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