Only moments before the trade deadline Phoenix decided to pull the trigger and trade P.J. Tucker to Toronto for two 2nd round picks and Jared Sullinger.
Sources: Toronto is sending Jared Sullinger and two future second-round picks to Phoenix for PJ Tucker.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
The trade, based purely on a business point of view, makes perfect sense for the Suns. Phoenix was able to swing 25 games worth of an expiring contract for two future assets and brought them closer to the salary cap floor. Both trades today saved the team $2.6 million and placed them within $100k of the cap minimum.
The problem is not with the reasoning, it is with who they traded. P.J. Tucker was the longest tenured player on the Suns and arguably the heart and soul of the team. He has been Phoenix’s emotional leader since 2012 and gives his all every single night. Through all the turmoil of the past five seasons the only constant has been the hardworking, team-oriented nature of Tucker.
Everyone in the NBA has their own opinion on the trade but the people most effected are his ex-teammates. Their overall reaction has been surprised and unhappy to say the least and Tucker supposedly found out about the trade in the most uncomfortable of ways.
Supposedly Booker told Tucker “I told you, you weren’t going anywhere” and then 30 seconds later the rest of the team rushed to Tucker to inform him of the trade. The worst part might be the fact that he was still in the shower when the players found him.
PJ Tucker found out he was traded while he was in the shower after practice. Players ran in to tell him.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 23, 2017
in a stroke of irony, two years ago Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough played a trick on Tucker that he was traded at that deadline. I can only imagine he thought this was happening again.
Tucker, a free agent this offseason, before walking out of the arena for one final time was asked about a #Suns return pic.twitter.com/h6Bu2h7s3L
— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) February 23, 2017
Tucker addressed the media understandably emotional. He had nothing but praise for Phoenix but acknowledge how much he will miss the city and his teammates. GM Ryan McDonough thanked and praised Tucker publicly through a press release.
Ryan McDonough on P.J. Tucker. pic.twitter.com/yGDPRGtkzv
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 24, 2017
Jared Dudley had a different reaction to the trade.
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 23, 2017
Devin Booker and Marquese Chriss retreated Dudley’s tweet. It was also reported that he was visibly upset after practice in the locker room. We will have to wait and see if the players come outright and express there displeasure. Without Tucker the team will be directly effected in the wins and loss column. Tucker guards the best opposing offensive player game in and game out, and without him there will be great defensive deficiencies.
Though it is all not too bad. If Tucker wants to return Phoenix, the Suns may still be interested in re-signing him in the off-season.