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P.J. Tucker Retires From NBA After 14 Seasons as 2021 Bucks Champion

His journey from overseas standout to 2021 Bucks starter shows how a defense-first role can shape champions.

Overview

  • P.J. Tucker, 41, announced his retirement Thursday on Instagram, closing a pro career that stretched nearly two decades and 14 NBA seasons.
  • Drafted 35th in 2006 by the Raptors and waived as a rookie, he rebuilt overseas for five years, highlighted by a 2008 Hapoel Holon title and Finals MVP, before rejoining the NBA with the Suns in 2012.
  • He played for eight franchises and carved out a niche as a multi-positional defender and corner‑three threat, starting 19 of 23 games in the Bucks’ 2021 championship run.
  • He retires with 886 regular-season games and 105 playoff appearances, career averages of 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, and an estimated $90.6 million in earnings per Spotrac.
  • He last appeared with the Knicks in 2024–25 after New York later declined his 2025–26 option, and former teammates and teams publicly saluted his toughness and leadership.