The 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks, clearly, are not anywhere close to being NBA Championship contenders. This is a disappointing development considering the fact that they have two of the 75 greatest players in NBA history on their team: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. However, Lillard is dealing with blood clots in his leg and cannot play currently. Additionally, their supporting cast has left a great deal to be desired.
Indeed, this year’s Bucks team is a far cry from the one that won the NBA Championship in 2021. That year, with Giannis leading the way with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, they had a solid regular season, though it was clear ahead of the trade deadline that they needed something more.
And they went out and got it in the form of PJ Tucker.
PJ Tucker Helped the Milwaukee Bucks Win the NBA Championship in 2021
Milwaukee Bucks, PJ Tucker
Jul 22, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates during the Milwaukee Bucks victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
While Giannis, Middleton, and Holiday provided Milwaukee with plenty of offense, it was on the defensive side of the ball, particularly against teams with multiple superstars, that the Bucks struggled. As a result, they went out and traded for Tucker ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Tucker’s impact on that Milwaukee team does not show up in his stat sheet. He only averaged 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the regular season with the Bucks.
But he was often tasked with defending Milwaukee’s opponents’ best wing player. In the postseason, his “dog” mentality was credited with giving the Bucks a psychological edge over what many considered to be superior opponents.
And while his stint in Milwaukee was short, his impact is still remembered by fans, who consider him a team legend.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Champion PJ Tucker Has Signed a Two-Year Deal with the New York Knicks
PJ Tucker, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 22, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward P.J. Tucker (17) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Following his title run with the Bucks, Tucker signed with the Miami Heat. However, he did not play for them long and has bounced around the league a bit over the last several seasons.
His latest stop has been on a couple of 10-day contracts with the New York Knicks. Despite having appeared in just one game for them in that time, the Knicks have decided to sign him to a two-year contract:
After two 10-day contracts, the New York Knicks are planning to sign veteran forward PJ Tucker to a two-year deal, sources tell ESPN. Tucker will return to the Knicks through the season and playoffs, with a team option for 2025-26. https://t.co/traoEppmqt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2025
Currently, the Bucks are the sixth seed in the NBA Eastern Conference. If nothing changes above or below them in the standings, they will face Tucker and New York in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
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