Getty Devin Booker
As a buyout candidate, former Phoenix Suns player P.J. Tucker would be interested in playing again for Phoenix, according to a report.
“Given Phoenix’s current needs and Tucker’s longstanding friendship with Devin Booker, it’s impossible to completely rule out a reunion here,” PHNX Sports’ Gerald Bourgeut wrote in a January 26 story.
Tucker, who’s now with the Los Angeles Clippers, hasn’t played since November 27 and there’s no indication he’ll play again before the buyout period opens after the February 8 trade deadline.
Bourgeut wrote that Tucker’s “$11 million contract fits just under the threshold that Phoenix can sign for buyout players.” When buyout season arrives, they can’t improve their roster by signing anyone who makes more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, or $12.4 million, because they have crossed the NBA’s second tax apron.
Tucker, who joined the Suns in 2012, played with Booker from 2015 to 2017 until the Suns traded him to the Toronto Raptors. He is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract he signed in 2022.
“Phoenix is honestly everything to me,” Tucker told The Arizona Republic in 2021. In 2019, Tucker referred to Booker as his “little brother” in an interview with Bright Side of the Sun.
Suns Considered ‘Possible Home’ for P.J. Tucker: Report
Adding Tucker, who will turn 39 in May, via buyout would require navigating a lot of moving parts by the Suns. The Clippers would either have to buy him out or they would have to trade him to another team who would buy him out.
The latter scenario could actually come to fruition, according to Yahoo Sports! Jake Fischer, who reported that the Washington Wizards could trade for Tucker. Fischer added that if the Wizards were to waive Tucker, he would draw interest from the Suns, among other teams.
“The Clippers’ PJ Tucker remains a strong trade candidate, with the Wizards being mentioned as a possible landing spot, sources said. Washington would offer the opportunity of a buyout for Tucker. The Suns and Bucks are two teams considered possible homes for Tucker if he were to become a free agent, sources said,” Fischer wrote in a January 17 story.
Tucker won a title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 after spending three seasons with the Houston Rockets. Since playing for the Bucks, Tucker has also appeared with the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Suns Have ‘Been in Contact’ With Bismack Biyombo
Tucker isn’t the only former Sun who has been linked to Phoenix. In Bourguet’s report, he mentioned that the Suns have contacted Bismack Biyombo.
“There isn’t any urgency on signing a deal just yet, but a source said Biyombo and the Suns have been in contact, which would make sense given their recent history and the team’s need for a more athletic, shot-blocking option at the center position.”
Biyombo played for the Suns from 2021 to 2023. The Memphis Grizzlies added Biyombo after Steven Adams suffered a season-ending injury. They then waived Biyombo to convert Vince Williams Jr. to a standard contract.
The @memgrizz today announced the team signed Vince Williams Jr. to a multi-year contract.
In a related move, the Grizzlies waived Bismack Biyombo.
In 30 games with the Grizzlies this season, Biyombo averaged 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks a game while shooting 56.3% from the field.
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How Devin Booker Could Factor Into a Suns Reunion With $33 Million Champion