Bucks’ Odds to Win Eastern Conference Improve to +275 After PJ Tucker Trade

• Bucks’ chances to win Eastern Conference have improved from +300 to +275 after acquisition of PJ Tucker
• Tucker is the latest member of the tanking Rockets to jump ship
• Brooklyn (+125) still favored to represent the East in the NBA Finals

The NBA trade deadline is about a week away, but the Milwaukee Bucks are already making moves. Milwaukee has finished with the best record in the NBA in each of the last two seasons, but the Bucks have crashed out in embarrassing fashion in consecutive years, as well.

The franchise is hell-bent on capitalizing on their championship window with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the prime of his career, and rightfully so. Giannis inked a lucrative contract extension with the team before this season began, and Milwaukee has aggressively tried to build a winner around him. The Bucks parted ways with all sorts of future draft assets in the offseason trade for Jrue Holiday. On Wednesday night Milwaukee made another big move.

PJ Tucker’s Impact

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks have acquired swingman PJ Tucker in a trade from the Houston Rockets. Tucker, a 6’5″ forward, has been instrumental in Houston’s success over the past handful of years. Tucker has been the Rockets’ best defender during the James Harden era, but he asked for a trade earlier this year with the team trending in the wrong direction.

So, Tucker gets his wish with a move to Milwaukee. In exchange, the Bucks sent DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson, and a 2023 first-round pick to Houston. The Bucks also received Rodions Kurucs and a future first-rounder of their own in the deal.

Tucker doesn’t put up impressive numbers. The 35-year-old is averaging just 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 32 games for the Rockets this season, but his value lies in his leadership and defensive skills. Tucker may be undersized, but he is strong and savvy enough to defend multiple positions. His position to play a variety of positions without needing the ball in his hands should be crucial for Milwaukee come playoff time.

Nets Still Favored In Eastern Conference

A number of other contenders, including the 76ers, Lakers, and Nets, were said to be interested in Tucker, as well. The move has also improved the Bucks’ chances to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. While the Nets are still +125 favorites to get through the conference, the trade has improved the Bucks’ odds from +300 to +275 at a variety of NBA betting sites.

It’s unclear how Tucker will fit into Milwaukee’s rotation right away. Brook Lopez is entrenched as the starting center, while Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton occupy both forward slots. Tucker will likely play a hybrid role off the bench, while Donte DiVincenzo may get cut out of Mike Budenholzer’s closing rotation.

Tucker has been one of the game’s most accurate shooters from the corner over the past few years, as well. The Bucks do have the fifth-best three-point shooting percentage in the league this season, but you can never have enough shooting in this day and age of pace-and-space basketball. Tucker is versatile enough to find a role with just about any team, which makes him an easy fit for the Bucks.

While this move does improve the Bucks’ prospects, they still face an uphill climb to get out of the East. The Nets have looked like the best team in the conference since acquiring Tucker’s ex-teammate, James Harden, back in January. The 76ers recently lost Joel Embiid to an injury, but the big man is expected to make a full recovery before the postseason begins. Philadelphia and Brooklyn are tied at 28-13 atop the Eastern Conference, with the 26-14 Bucks currently in third. Philly owns the third-best odds to get out of the East at +550.