PHOENIX SUNS

Suns officially sign, bring back P.J. Tucker

Jul 24, 2014, 1:57 AM | Updated: 1:57 am

Follow @AZSports...

The Phoenix Suns have officially signed forward P.J. Tucker.

Tucker agreed to a three-year deal earlier in the month and the Suns announced it Wednesday.

“P.J. is one of the most rugged competitors in the entire league,” said general manager Ryan McDonough. “We love his passion and his fire. We are happy that he will remain in a Suns uniform for the foreseeable future.”

Tucker, 29, started 81 games for the Suns and averaged a career-high 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes last season.

He continued to emerge as the team’s defensive stopper, often defending the opponent’s best scorer. At 6-foot-6 and 224 pounds with good athleticism, Tucker has the size and ability to guard anyone from point guards to power forwards.

In 2012-13, Tucker started 45 games, averaging 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 24.2 minutes.

Prior to joining the Suns Tucker spent five seasons overseas playing professional basketball.

Tucker was the No. 35 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He lasted part of one season in the NBA before getting sent to the D-League and being waived.

In 2012, Tucker returned to the NBA when the Suns signed him on a two-year contract.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

11 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

16 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Suns officially sign, bring back P.J. Tucker