What P.J. Tucker Brings to the Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks made a move right before the game yesterday. They traded for P.J Tucker sending D.J. Augustin and D.J. Wilson to Houston along with some draft maneuvering that basically equaling a late-first round pick. The package was not anything worth too much value. Wilson now gets to spread his wings in Houston, while Augustin might be a buyout candidate or get moved again. Tucker joins the Bucks as a guy that could help Milwaukee in several ways down the stretch and into the playoffs. Some have said he is washed up given how poorly this year has been in Houston. But it’s fair to wonder if Houston was just a dumpster fire and Tucker got burned out by everything. Here’s what he brings to the table.
The first thing to like about Tucker is his ability to guard any position. This gives Milwaukee four guys on defense that could close out a game and have the ability to defend anyone that comes their way. Tucker became known for his post-defense when Houston went small last year after trading Clint Capela. Milwaukee will likely use him in their closing lineup. With many teams keying on Brook Lopez, it makes sense for the Bucks to transition to a smaller lineup with Tucker playing the four and Giannis at the five. My guess is we will not see this closing lineup until closer to playoff time.
The other thing that Tucker has in his arsenal is the corner three. He became known for it whether it was in Toronto or Houston. Now, he hasn’t shot the ball well this season at 31%. This could be a decline due to not having a playmaker like James Harden or Kyle Lowry before him getting him the ball. Tucker is an amazing corner three-point shooter when it’s working. He’s also come alive in the playoffs shooting 45% in the 2019 and 2018 playoffs. That’s something Milwaukee could use.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t entirely on board with the idea of Tucker to Milwaukee, but with the package being light plus the hope that the washed comments are just a guy who got tired of the bullshit in Houston. We’ll see.
Charlie.