Why Did the Knicks Sign PJ Tucker?

Why would the Knicks give PJ Tucker a two-year contract when he most likely won’t touch the court? The answer is likely his leadership presence and his trade value. 

Tucker’s Experienced Leadership 

Jalen Brunson is the Knicks’ ultimate leader. Fans also resonate with Josh Hart’s consistent display of grit on the court.

However, the team lost some toughness with Isaiah Hartenstein, Donte DiVincenzo, and Julius Randle departing last summer. The Knicks lacked a vocal, experienced veteran and someone who was headstrong.

PJ Tucker is certainly both of those things.

It was confusing to see Tucker take the role of leader with the Knicks since he wanted out of Los Angeles because he wasn’t getting any playing time. He still had friends on the roster like James Harden and Russell Westbrook last season, yet he did not want to stay. The only explanation is he wanted a clear leadership role and likely preferred having said role on a younger team, such as the Knicks, instead of an older team like the Clippers.

Trade Implications

Despite PJ Tucker signing a minimum contract, the move has trade and cap implications.

With their current roster, the Knicks will again settle within the first and second aprons in 2025-26. The Knicks can sign one more player before the end of the season, but it would require waiving someone else since they have a full 15. Tucker’s non-guaranteed contract ensures the Knicks can use him to match in a potential trade.

New York is highly creative when it comes to designing trade packages. Last summer, they signed and traded Duane Washington, Daquan Jeffries, and Charlie Brown Jr. to Charlotte to complete the Karl-Anthony Towns trade . They also strategically acquired Keita Bates-Diop during the Mikal Bridges trade and rerouted him to Minnesota for Towns.

New York knows what it is doing with Tucker, and the signing benefits both parties. Tucker continues his NBA career, and the Knicks use the contract as a type of “trade exception,” while utilizing his leadership.