Portland Trail Blazers: 3 trades to acquire PJ Tucker of Houston Rockets

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 06: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

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Portland Trail Blazers, /

PJ Tucker Trade two – swap salaries, dependent on the health of Rodney Hood

Though this would be rough on Rodney Hood if he were recovering from injury, if Hood wasn’t able to recover fully, they could move him for Tucker.

This would effectively be a salary dump, and the Blazers would potentially need to attach an asset if this was the case. This year’s second-round pick could get the job done.

So Tucker would then come into the starting lineup at the four, with Ariza at the three, and then the Blazers would still have money to sign another backup or starting forward.

Tucker is one of the league’s best defenders. As a starting four who sometimes plays the five, Tucker has some of the league’s highest steal rates, as well as shooting 39, 38, and 40 percent from the corners over the last three years, on the highest volume in the league. He is an excellent acquisition for any playoff team.

This would be disappointing for Hood and the fanbase, but I can only see this type of move happening if Hood comes back as a lot lesser version of himself than in 2019/20.

The second-round pick isn’t too much of a loss, as this wouldn’t likely be a player that the Blazers could use anyway.

For the Rockets, they could either stretch or cut Hood and then use the second-round pick to get a player to help them as they rebuild.