Moments after the trade agreement between Houston and Milwaukee became official, the Rockets published a new video on Friday to thank PJ Tucker for his contributions over four seasons with the franchise.
The Bucks are sending young big man D.J. Wilson and veteran point guard DJ Augustin to the Rockets in exchange for Tucker and Rodions Kurucs. The teams are also exchanging draft assets in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with Houston getting more value as part of a complex series of swaps.
Tucker, a longtime defensive stalwart for the Rockets, is in the final year of his contract and recently requested a trade after he wasn’t able to come to terms with the team on his desired contract extension. The Bucks will also offer the 35-year-old a chance to compete for his first NBA title, which Tucker couldn’t realistically do with the Rockets following the departure of superstar guard James Harden in January.
📼 Thanks for the memories, PJ! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/CTNkRSsHpx
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 19, 2021
In addition to his defense, Tucker was a clear leader in Houston’s locker room and one of the league’s toughest players. Over his time with the Rockets, Tucker played in the most games of any NBA player. Houston also won at least one playoff series in each of Tucker’s years with the team, which no other Western Conference team did over that span.
During Tucker’s first season with the team, Houston went 65-17 — easily the NBA’s best mark that season and the top record in team history. While the Rockets never won a championship in his era, it remains one of the most successful runs of all-time for the franchise.
Rockets General Manager @RafaelStone12 on the trade with the Miwaukee Bucks: “We’re happy for PJ (Tucker). He’s an exceptional competitor and he’s been an enormous part of our success for the last few years. We’re happy for him that he’s gonna get the opportunity at this point..” pic.twitter.com/47DeBrIMiB
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 19, 2021
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