The NBA's regular season is winding down, and with the standings close, the Milwaukee Bucks are still uncertain who exactly their first-round playoff opponent will be this year.
If the postseason started today, the Bucks would be the sixth seed and travel to New York for a series with the Knicks. That would make for an interesting match, though the Knicks, who have not lost even a single contest against Milwaukee this year, would be favored, especially with Damain Lillard's status for the rest of the season uncertain.
While it might not have massive implications for a potential playoff matchup, the Knicks' most recent roster move would add some intrigue to the series due to some past relationships.
Knicks add former Bucks champion to beef up depth, experience
The New York Knicks have signed P.J. Tucker to a two-year contract, with the second year including a team option. Tucker had burnt through consecutive 10-day contracts with the Knicks, so the only way to keep him around was a standard deal. Now, the forward will be eligible for the postseason, where a matchup with his former franchise could very well soon become a reality.
Though Tucker has only appeared in one game for two minutes with the Knicks, they clearly value what he brings to the table. While the 39-year-old is not the bruising, intense defender he was as a Milwaukee Buck, he still brings valuable leadership and hard-earned experience, which is something no team can have too much of when they are gearing up for a playoff run.
If these two teams were to meet in a playoff setting, Tucker likely wouldn't be a needle-mover on the court, but due to his experience with the team, particularly how things ended, he would certainly be fired up. As someone who has played with and against the key pieces of that roster, perhaps he could offer some insight on his past bouts.
Tucker returning to face the Milwaukee Bucks certainly wouldn't be the headliner in a potential playoff series between these two, but it could be a fun side plot. With eight regular season games and plenty of time to shift around in the standings, there's no guarantee that the Bucks and Knicks will meet, as they could also run into the Indiana Pacers or Detroit Pistons. Only time will dictate the matchup.
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