Some Warriors fans are eagerly awaiting the Houston Rockets’ explosion this season.
The Rockets finally reached a turning point on Wednesday when it sent superstar James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets that became a four-way deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. Expect other dominoes to fall in Houston as the Rockets are 3-6 and near the bottom of the Western Conference, and owner Tilman Fertitta wants to reduce the pay cut.
Veteran forward PJ Tucker has long been considered a logical option for the Warriors to aim for with their exception of $ 9.3 million for disabled players, made available by Klay Thompson’s injury. But it appears Tucker has attracted interest from several teams in the league, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported Wednesday, citing sources.
Tucker is only signed through this season, so he will likely rent a short-term lease. But the Warriors can make a lot of sense as a trading partner. Fertitta would get a good salary saving and perhaps a protected choice from the Warriors, as the franchise would run out on the stacking classes 2021 and 2022.
Tucker caters to a variety of needs for the Warriors, starting with the depth of the foreland. Eric Paschall has performed well since Marquese Chriss’s injury, but Tucker gives the Warriors a physical forward who can stretch the floor with his three-point skills. He will also provide a valuable presence to veterans, along with Draymond Green and Steph Curry, with the ability to defend multiple positions.
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The 6-foot 5, 245-pound Tucker averaged 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. But he is shooting 52 percent (13-of-25) from outside the arc this year, with the majority of his 3-point coming from the corner on the attempt. Imagine the good shots the Warriors can get with Curry running around the perimeter and Tucker waiting to knock down an open look.
The Warriors played 11 of their 72 games and started clicking for seven games during their recent homeland. But the pressure on the playoffs will come quickly during this compact season, so Golden State should try to make a deal with Houston while the iron is hot.
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