Knicks NBA NBA East

Why Did the Knicks Sign PJ Tucker?

Reyaz AllyApril 3, 20252 Mins read932

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 05: P.J. Tucker # 17 of the Miami Heat smiles after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Moda Center on January 05, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

On May 5, NBA veteran PJ Tucker turns 40 years old. On March 31, he signed a two-year contract.

Tucker is the fourth-oldest player in the NBA. With 19 years of experience through this season, he could make it 20 after receiving a two-year deal from the New York Knicks. After signing two 10-day contracts with his new team, Tucker gets a roster spot for the rest of the season and a team option for the 2025-26 NBA season.

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

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.

PJ Tucker’s rest-of-season deal with the Knicks will leave them with enough room under the second apron to add another vet free agent at the end of the regular season. Knicks people have appreciated Tucker’s off-court impact, vocal approach during his two-week stint with the…

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 31, 2025

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.