Utah Jazz Free Agent Target #2: P.J. Tucker
Assuming the Utah Jazz enter the 2021-22 season with title aspirations, they could not hope for a better acquisition than P.J. Tucker.
Yes, we know he’ll be turning 37. We don’t care. That’s how much Tucker brings to the table.
This season, he’s shooting a career best 42.7% from downtown. His DBPM of 1.2 isn’t elite, but it does nothing to negate his reputation as one of the most intense defenders in the league.
Anyway, defensive metrics are overrated. We use them because frankly, we’ve got to use something. Tucker is transcendent on defense. His energy, effort and attention to detail elevate the entire team.
He’s also got a wealth of deep playoff and, as of last season, championship experience. Like Prince, he can play any frontcourt position, having manned the 5 full-time for a season with the microball Rockets.
That’s a role Quin Snyder would likely use him in minimally. Still, he can handle it. A frontcourt of Rudy Gobert, Royce O’Neale and Tucker would be as good a defensive formation as one could imagine in the NBA.
Sure, Tucker is 6’5, just like O’Neale. He also, like O’Neale, plays bigger. About the only superior target this summer would be Robert Covington. He seems so unlikely to leave the Clippers team he recently landed on that he didn’t make this list.
As far as pure, on-court value goes, the Utah Jazz should pursue P.J. Tucker at all costs.