REPORT: Phoenix Suns guard is dissatisfied with contract negotiations and plans to leave if a new agreement is not reached.

P.J. Tucker Trade Rumors: The Most Recent News and Speculation about Suns SF.

Raptors Linked to Tucker; Suns Setting High Price According to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

the Toronto Raptors have contacted Phoenix about Tucker, who is likely to command a “nice pick.” Tucker, 30, is averaging 6.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent in 50 games.

These figures represent a significant drop from Tucker’s previous two seasons, when he established himself as one of the NBA’s most underappreciated two-way players. Tucker, a gritty defender with just enough shooting talent to earn respect from defenses, became an important member of a Phoenix group contending for postseason positions.

However, like much of the 2015-16 squad, his statistical slump has contributed to the Suns’ decline. Phoenix is 14-36, losing 20 of its last 22 games. The franchise sacked head coach Jeff Hornacek in early February and replaced him with Earl Watson, who was on the bench for Tuesday’s 104-97 loss to Toronto. Tucker played 39 minutes in that game and does not look to be in danger of losing his position in the rotation.

The Suns are in no position to bench veterans, with guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight out due to injury. Bledsoe will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, and Knight has not played since January 19.

“My job now is to get these guys on it every single night,” Tucker said in January, per Paul Coro of AZCentral. “We’re going to find five guys who go out and fight every single night, for every single possession and that is what it is.”

Moving Tucker would make some sense if Phoenix’s front office decides its current core won’t work. Tucker and Tyson Chandler are significantly older than the franchise’s remaining building blocks and should be first on the list to go. Chandler will be more difficult to move given his contract (three years, $39 million remaining after this season) and his poor play.

Tucker is under contract for a manageable $5.3 million in 2016-17. Given the massive cap upswing coming this summer, he’ll be playing for below the mid-level exception. Even if his downturn this season is representative of his production going forward, any contending team could use his toughness and leadership.