The New York Knicks made an interesting roster move earlier this month by securing the service of PJ Tucker.
PJ Tucker, 39, arrived in the Big Apple following a whirlwind turn of events.
Disgruntled and unsatisfied about his situation, Tucker reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers to work for a trade before the 2024-25 campaign began.
After being away from the Clips on an indefinite basis, Tucker was eventually traded. But throughout February, he saw himself being tossed around with four different teams until the Toronto Raptors waived him.
Eventually, as he landed in the league’s marketplace, Tucker easily identified the New York Knicks as his desired next stop amid interest from several other teams in signing him.
Josh Hart discusses huge impact of PJ Tucker’s arrival for the NY Knicks
The Knicks were compelled to bring in Tucker for simple reasons: leadership and locker room presence.
New York offered Tucker two 10-day contracts already, but it is expected that the longtime forward will stick around their side for the remainder of the season.
A coveted veteran with tons of experiences and knowledge about the grind of the game, Tucker’s impact has been felt around the entire Knicks group since he entered their camp.
And for Josh Hart, they are gratified by having Tucker on the sidelines. He believes the move addresses something that have been missing.
“He’s been great in terms of being vocal and talking to guys individually and doing those things,” Hart said in his Roommates Show podcast with fellow Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
“I think with him, and all of us struggle with finding the right time to address certain things and hold guys accountable. In the group setting, I think that’s something that everybody’s trying to figure out.”
Hart is fully ecstatic of having Tucker’s leadership, experience within New York
Tucker has seen it all already. After being drafted in 2006, he embraced a journeyman route, playing five seasons in overseas before ultimately returning to the NBA in 2012. Since then, he became a part of several notable contending teams from the past as one of the league’s standout role players.
He is also a bona fide winner, securing his first NBA championship in 2021 as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tucker fully understands why the Knicks pursued him in the first place. His toughness and vocal demeanor will play a pivotal role for the team’s looming championship hunt as one of the Eastern Conference’s best.
“With him, he’s been great for myself and other guys,” Hart added.
“Talking us out of his experiences, what we see out there, what we can do.
“He’s been great, and having him around for a longer time can only be beneficial.”
