Denver Nuggets: Should the Nuggets Trade for P.J. Tucker?

The Denver Nuggets should put together a trade package for Houston Rocket Forward P.J. Tucker

The Denver Nuggets should attempt to acquire Houston Rocket Forward P.J. Tucker.

It has been rumored that the Rockets are interested in shaking up their roster and trading players to get into championship contention.

Tucker has been a starting forward for the Rockets for this past season. He is the perfect player to add to the Nuggets bench.  So far, he has been critical to the limited success that the Rockets have had in the playoffs.

Tucker plays a similar role that Robert Horry did for the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers. Mainly is a skilled offensive player and one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

Despite being one of the best defensive players in the NBA, Tucker has never been selected to an NBA All-Defensive team. Player statistics do not capture much of his value for a team.

Tucker, as a defender, can match up with a variety of players in the NBA. This season, Tucker has been successful in guarding Jayson Tatum, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Ben Simmons.

Arguably no other defender in the NBA is so versatile. He is a notorious pest on defense. Tucker may be one of the best rotation players in the NBA.

Tucker also has significant playoff experience and has played 38 playoff games. His veteran experience would be beneficial for the Nuggets as they try to make deeper playoff runs in the future.

The Denver Nuggets struggled defensively in the regular season and playoffs.

Critical to the Nuggets, improving their chances of winning a championship in the near future is getting better defensively and improving their bench.

Offensively, Tucker could add more three-point shooting for the Nuggets’ bench. For his career, Tucker shoots 43.8% from three-point range and had an offensive rating of 133 this postseason. Moreover, he elevates his three-point shooting in the playoffs. He has a low usage rate and does not need the ball in his hand to be effective.

He would be the perfect backup power forward for Paul Millsap.

Tucker has two years left in his deal with the Rockets and is set to make $8,349,039 for the 2019-20 season and $7,969,537 for the 2020-21 season.

The Nuggets have the pieces necessary to get Tucker.

Plumlee has one year left on his contract with the Nuggets and is set to make $14,041,096 for the 2019-20 season.

Barton has three years left on his contract for the Nuggets and is set make $12,960,000,
$13,920,000, and $14,880,000 over the next three-seasons.

Both players could fill similar roles as Tucker did for the Rockets

Taking Barton may create cap problems for the Rockets, however, he is younger than Tucker.  Plumlee is also  on a more expensive contract than Tucker, however, he only has one player left on his deal. This would free-up cap space for the Rockets in the future.

Potentially, the Rockets may be willing to accept Plumlee or Barton and a draft pick for Tucker.

The Nuggets should aggressively try to trade to acquire P.J. Tucker.