Boston Celtics: 5 veterans the Cs should pursue this offseason
By Chris Conte
Boston Celtics target No. 4) PJ Tucker
Last year, the power forward rotation for the Boston Celtics consisted of Jayson Tatum, Daniel Theis, Grant Williams, and Jabari Parker.
That is unacceptable.
That rotation lacks versatility, shooting, and defensive prowess outside of Jayson Tatum.
That is where PJ Tucker comes in.
He can play behind Tatum and help Udoka stabilize his bench unit’s defense. As his athleticism and speed wear down the older he gets, the less effective Tucker is at the five, but he can still be a factor defensively if Udokas puts him in the correct position.
Supposing you’ve been able to catch any of the Bucks’ playoff games recently, you’ve likely noticed Tucker has taken up the responsibility of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive players.
His grit and toughness would be a massive boost to the C’s bench and locker room. He could take the weight off of Jayson Tatum or Marcus Smart on the defensive end while keeping fire lit before the game, at halftime, and after the final buzzer sounds.
He is not much of a shooter anymore, so his offensive contributions will stem from screen setting and making the extra pass, which is perfectly fine with Tucker.
He is still under contract for the 2021-22 season, earning $14.1 million, but only $6 million is guaranteed.
The Boston Celtics could easily match his catch or absorb it outright in exchange for draft capital or minor assets for the Bucks to use later on if they even decide to let him go.
If he is made available, the Cs need to pursue him.