The Milwaukee Bucks front office continues to show Giannis Antetokounmpo that they’re serious about giving him as much help as possible. With the threat of free agency looming, Milwaukee wants to make sure the Greek Freak stays with them. In order to do that, they need to provide him with as much help as possible—and they’ve just done that.
It was just announced that they traded DJ Wilson and DJ Augustin to the Houston Rockets for PJ Tucker and Rodions Kurucs, as well as a handful of draft picks. Houston will get Milwaukee’s 2021 and 2023 first-round picks and the Bucks will receive the Rockets’ 2022 first-round pick.
The main chip in this trade is Tucker. His career entered a resurgence of sorts over the last few seasons, providing the Rockets with a reliable defensive presence, and intimidation opposing big men that he wasn’t to be trifled with in the paint. He also was a solid spot-up three-point shooter.
Although this doesn’t necessarily make Milwaukee obvious contenders, especially not with so many other juggernauts in the league, this is no small move. Tucker is the consummate veteran, a player who can be relied upon in those big playoff moments.
Craig is a 6-7, 221-pound wing defender who was signed in the offseason to fill that “stopper” role but never gained traction in the rotation. He missed time with a broken nose but only averaged 11.2 minutes in 18 games.
Just to give you an idea of how important he was to Houston, let it sink in that he’s started in every game he’s played over the last three seasons. Giannis and Khris Middleton will surely benefit from his help down the stretch in the playoffs.
