The New York Knicks are signing 14-year NBA veteran P.J. Tucker to a 10-day contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Tucker, 39, last played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2023-24 season. While he was still under contract with the Clippers during the beginning of the 2024-25 season, he remained away from the team as they figured out his future.
Tucker brings a veteran presence and championship experience to New York’s locker room. The now-oldest Knick was a member of the champion 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, appearing in 23 postseason games.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks organization views PJ Tucker as an “integral addition” to the roster. The club had been looking for someone with an “enforcer mentality” and ultimately honed in on Tucker.
Begley also notes that, despite the team currently being a man down at center in the wake of injury to rookie Ariel Hukporti, the Knicks believe that a platoon of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Precious Achiuwa can cover the need.
Tucker got his start in the NBA as a member of the Toronto Raptors in the 2006-07 season, appearing in just 17 games. Throughout the next five seasons, Tucker would bounce around to different pro leagues in Israel, Ukraine, and Germany.
He returned to the NBA in the 2012-13 season as a member of the Phoenix Suns and has remained in the league ever since.
Tucker truly earned his reputation for rugged play while playing for the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2021. Though his numbers certainly don’t jump off the page, he was a reliable role player and protector for then-Rockets superstar James Harden.
He was then traded to Milwaukee in March of 2021, where he helped Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks achieve their championship aspirations.
Though P.J. Tucker is not expected to see much court time for the New York Knicks, he is bringing what the team considers to be a much-needed experience to the locker room.
