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Knicks Trade Rumors: Five Reasons To Pursue P.J. Tucker

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) guards Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder defeat the Suns 114-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) guards Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder defeat the Suns 114-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pacers defeated the Suns 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pacers defeated the Suns 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Defensive Consistency

Most players can defend, but few are actually up to the task of doing so on a nightly basis. One could effectively argue that the truth in that statement is why the New York Knicks are considering a trade in the first place.

If nothing else can be said about P.J. Tucker, it’s that the Phoenix Suns forward consistently embraces the challenge of defending the opposition’s best scorer.

Regardless of how well he plays on defense, the willingness to defend is what makes Tucker so valuable. That alone would be an upgrade over the effort that the Knicks have put forth during the 2016-17 NBA regular season.

That level of effort and intensity is why the Suns allow 1.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when Tucker is on the court than when he isn’t.

Individually, Tucker is holding opponents to 42.4 percent from the field in the 2016-17. He’s No. 22 amongst small forwards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus—significantly higher than that of any small forward on the Knicks.

If the Knicks manage to acquire Tucker, then it stands to reason that he’d have the same positive impact on defense.

Must Read: Who can fix Jeff Hornacek's defense?

Nothing is imminent, Tucker makes sense as a trade target for Phil Jackson, Jeff Hornacek, and the New York Knicks.

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