Houston Rockets: How much P.J. Tucker’s trade value has declined

Houston Rockets: What’s P.J. Tucker’s value now?

As mentioned before, Tucker’s value through trade, even in the last year of his deal, was close to a first-round pick before the season got underway. While 32 games is a small sample compared to 236 games, teams weigh a player’s recent production most heavily.

It’s unfortunate for the Rockets, but Tucker’s trade value is at best in the range of two second-round picks. Most of the real championship contenders have pushed their future picks in to acquire veteran help already, and giving up their last remaining assets for Tucker would be too high a price.

The Rockets have been open for business for most of the season and the fact that Tucker hasn’t already been moved is telling. There were reports that the franchise had valued Tucker at a first-round pick or three second-round picks, if this season had seen the P.J. Tucker of old there is no question that Tucker would already be on another team’s roster.

The Rockets should move Tucker before the trade deadline on March 25th but they’ll have to readjust their expectations. The going rate for a player performing like Tucker has to be at best two second-round picks and more likely just one.

P.J. Tucker’s trade value has plummeted since the beginning of the season. The Rockets would have been better off moving him before the season started but hindsight is always 20/20.

Tucker earned the affection of Rockets’ fans for a reason and his drop-off in play shouldn’t change any of that. Father time is undefeated and Tucker, at 35-years-old, was bumping up against that decline. The timing is unfortunate for the Rockets, but they enjoyed three fantastic seasons from a truly unique player.