Trade Rumor: Boston Celtics Show Interest in P.J Tucker

The Boston Celtics are rumored to have interest in P.J Tucker.

This is not quite the news that Boston Celtics fans want to be hearing, but it is something. After finding out that DeMarcus Cousins could have been acquired if they wanted, fans are looking for a lot more than P.J Tucker now. The Celtics are apparently looking into Tucker as a potential cheaper alternative to someone like Jimmy Butler (Via ESPN).

While Tucker is not the most glamorous move, coming on an expiring contract will mean he is significantly cheaper than anything else, and Danny Ainge will have an opportunity to get good value on an impending free agent, without threatening anything in their future.

Tucker does not exactly help the Celtics in the size department, but has great defensive versatility with his size. The Celtics love defenders that leave open a lot of options for different lineups, and they could try and use Tucker to defend anywhere from the one to the four.

Tucker would not do anything to help their starting lineup, but that will not happen unless the Celtics show a willingness to sacrifice value on their assets before the deadline. Tucker would, however, help a lot with the second unit front court defense.

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Right now, when the Celtics get back to full strength they will have two strong defenders on the second unit in Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. They have absolutely no bigs that are difference makers on defense. Kelly Olynyk is able to hold his own, and putting those three with someone like Tucker would give them a much needed defensive boost.

Smart and Brown are two incredibly versatile players, and giving the second unit a third player with solid defensive versatility will completely expand many lineup options, and should have an actual impact on the defensive end.

Tucker would also give the second unit a great rebounding boost, and that could be a difference maker that gets him more minutes with the starters. The Celtics love their small ball and Tucker’s 7.5 rebounds per game could end up being their best option at the three or four for rebounding purposes.

We are at the point where all the talk will be about players like Jimmy Butler or Paul George, who have the talent to transform this franchise, and would command a huge portion of Boston’s assets. Based on Ainge’s track record, interest in guys like Tucker is a much more realistic option, especially in the middle of the season. Ainge has been notorious for talking about massive trades but is yet to do so with Stevens at the helm. What he has done, however, is smaller trades that have landed them both Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder.

Tucker would not be expected to bring that much on the offensive end. They have plenty of better offensive options, but Tucker is a cheap option to address that immediate need. The Celtics have the kind of assets that whatever they give up for a player like Tucker would be inconsequential. The Celtics cannot accommodate all their current assets, and that makes it a bit easier to take on the risk that Tucker could leave in the summer.

Next: Boston Celtics Miss Out on DeMarcus Cousins

The Celtics want to avoid giving up their future for a strictly short term option. Getting Tucker is unlikely to be a problem in either area, and this will give the Celtics an opportunity to evaluate whether or not they want him long term, before having to make that commitment,.

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