Suns make 2 deals before deadline
Phoenix sends Tucker to Toronto, gets Scott from Atlanta; Knight stays put
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns pulled off a pair of trades just before the NBA deadline Thursday.
The Suns traded forward P.J. Tucker to Toronto for forward Jared Sullinger and a pair of second-round draft picks (2017 and ‘18) and acquired power forward Mike Scott, the rights to Turkish guard Cenk Akyol and cash considerations from Atlanta for the top55 protected 2017 secondround pick.
Guard Brandon Knight remained with the Suns despite widespread speculation he could be headed elsewhere because he has been inconsistent and not thrilled with his role coming off the bench behind starters Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker.
Tucker was the most competitive of the Suns, known for his fiery attitude, tough defense and rebounding. He averaged seven points and six rebounds while appearing in 57 games this season.
The 6-foot-6 Tucker was with Toronto for 17 games as a rookie in 2006-07 before playing in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Germany. He came to the Suns in 2012 and averaged eight points and 5.9 rebounds in five seasons with Phoenix.
Sullinger averaged 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds for Toronto. The 6-foot-9 Sullinger played in only 11 games this year but has a career average of 10.8 points in four seasons with Boston and one with Toronto.
The 6-foot-8 Scott, a second-round pick out of Virginia in 2012, was slowed by a knee injury to start this season and never became a significant part of the Hawks’ rotation.
His best season with Atlanta was 2013-14, when he averaged 9.6 points per game but his scoring has declined ever since.
Scott still faces drug-related charges from an arrest last July 30. He was in an SUV driven by his brother that was eventually pulled over by authorities near Atlanta after reaching speeds of 99 mph, sheriff’s officials say.
Deputies said they found an ounce of marijuana and 10.9 grams of MDNA, commonly known as Molly, in the vehicle. Scott was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a schedule I drug. The case is still pending with no court date set.