The Phoenix Suns traded defensive-minded small forward P.J. Tucker to the Toronto Raptors right before the NBA's trade deadline Thursday.
In return, the Suns will receive the Raptors' 2017 and 2018 second-round draft picks, along with center Jared Sullinger.
Tucker was drafted by the Raptors in 2006 but has spent his last five seasons in Phoenix. He is averaging seven points, six rebounds and 1.5 steals per game this season and is best known for his outstanding defense.
Tucker is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. He is in the final year of a three-year, $16.5 million contract.
Sullinger, a first-round pick by the Boston Celtics in 2012, has averaged 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11 games with Toronto this season. He has averaged 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his five-year NBA career.
Also on Thursday, the Suns acquired forward Mike Scott and cash considerations from the Hawks in exchange for the Suns' top-55 protected second-round pick in 2017. Scott, who missed the first 18 games of the season with a knee injury, averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in Atlanta this season.
