PHOENIX SUNS
Report: Knicks view Suns’ P.J. Tucker as potential trade target
Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) works against New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, in Phoenix. (David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via AP)
Just this weekend, Jeff Hornacek called out the New York Knicks’ defense. Now, his Knicks higher-ups might be willing to do something about it, and it could involve acquiring one of Hornacek’s former Phoenix Suns players. ESPN’s Ian Begley reports that New York has labeled Phoenix forward P.J. Tucker as a potential trade target.
No trade is imminent, Begley added, but the fit would make sense for New York and Tucker.
Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s John Gambadoro added Wednesday that the teams have not discussed any deal.
In regards to the PJ Tucker/ NY Knicks trade rumors – there have been no discussions between the teams to this point.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 4, 2017
This weekend after a loss to the Orlando Magic, Hornacek, who was fired by the Suns last season, said that he didn’t think the Knicks were lacking in effort.
“Maybe we’re just not capable of it,” Hornacek offered, according to NorthJersey.com’s Steve Popper. “I don’t know. That’s what we’re going to have to figure out.”
New York has lost five games in a row and three times in those games has allowed 115 points or more. Over the last three games, the Knicks have allowed 23 points to the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, 53 points to the Rockets’ James Harden and another 25 to Ryan Anderson, plus 22 points each to Magic forwards Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon.
Tucker most notably shut down Davis and the Knicks’ own Carmelo Anthony last month.
The Suns veteran is averaging 6.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 27 minutes per game this year after missing the preseason due to recovery from back surgery.
The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract that will pay him $5.3 million.
