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Report: Raptors eager to add rotation piece, interested in P.J. Tucker

USA Today Sports

As Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said following the Serge Ibaka acquisition: "As long as we still have a phone, we'll see what goes on."

The Ibaka deal was only the first domino to fall for the Raptors, who appear to be going all-in. Even after filling its massive gap at power forward, the team remains eager to add another rotation player to the mix, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The Raptors are interested in Phoenix Suns defender P.J. Tucker, Lowe adds, and the Suns are reportedly taking calls on the 31-year-old.

Toronto is a bit light on the wing, especially at backup small forward - a spot that became vacant once Terrence Ross was shipped to Orlando for Ibaka. Sophomore sensation Norman Powell is currently slated to play that role, but he only stands at 6-foot-4.

Tucker is toiling away in what's turned out to be another lost season for Phoenix, but he could definitely serve a purpose for a team that needs his defensive abilities. Tucker is built like a brick house and relishes defensive assignments - a useful skill for a Raptors side that's wavered between average to downright awful on the defensive side of the ball.

Toronto could offload Jared Sullinger's salary to accommodate a deal for an incoming wing, Lowe notes.

The Raptors drafted Tucker with the 35th pick in 2006, but he failed to impress in his earlier days and had to find his game overseas. He's currently averaging seven points, six rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting a passable 34 percent from deep, and he's in the last year of a three-year, $16-million contract.

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