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Toronto Raptors: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter /
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P.J. Tucker, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – MAY 07: P.J. Tucker #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after scoring during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

81. . Small Forward/Power Forward. University of Texas. P.J. Tucker. 14. player

Taken 35th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, not much was expected of P.J. Tucker, and during his first NBA stint he did not meet even those low expectations. Playing in just 17 games his rookie season, Tucker found himself out of the league after one year.

From 2007-2012 Tucker bounced around multiple International leagues, playing everywhere from Israel to Germany. After five years overseas refining his game, Tucker was offered a contract with the Phoenix Suns. Tucker signed and made an immediate impact, starting in 45 games his first season back stateside.

After four-and-a-half seasons with the Suns, Tucker was traded back to the Raptors as part of a trade deadline deal to sure up the team’s wing rotation, particularly on the defensive end, prior to the playoffs.

After playing for Toronto for one-and-a-half seasons, Tucker went to join the league’s best contender to the Golden State Warriors: the Houston Rockets. It was there Tucker had perhaps his best season to-date, providing the Rockets with a precious mix of defensive tenacity and three-point shooting.

Finishing last season as a starter on one of the best teams in the NBA, Tucker’s game is aging like a fine wine.