Veteran wingman PJ Tucker is reportedly hoping he can suit up for the Phoenix Suns in the team's season-opener against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 26, as he was recently cleared to play after back operation made last month, recent NBA news and rumors hinted.

Tucker underwent a successful microdiscectomy procedure to fix his chronic lower back issues on Sep. 15, which ruled him out for six to eight weeks. He is healing faster than expected and so the former Texas standout recently said he hoped to be available when the Suns opens the upcoming regular season next week.

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ESPN noted that Tucker has already joined the team in practice, but is still prohibited from participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages.

"That's everything for me right now because when I first heard I was having back surgery, the first thing I was thinking that I'd have to miss a game," said Tucker, as per the Arizona Republic. "For them (team doctors) to say I have a chance at the opener is everything to me."

Tucker is set to play his fifth season with the Suns in 2016-2017 after he was acquired by Phoenix in the summer of 2012 coming off a stint overseas.

Last season, he averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a career-high 2.2 assists in 31.0 minutes per game as a starting small forward for then head coach Jeff Hornacek. It is projected that new coach Earl Watson will keep him in the starting unit this season.

"We're bringing him (Tucker) along slowly, making sure he gets his rehab in," said Watson. "Every step with the training staff has purpose. He's doing well."

Last Saturday, Tucker remained in the team's training facility to do more rehab work, while Watson and the rest of the players went on a team outing at Topgolf. This reportedly indicated Tucker's commitment to suit up for the club as soon as possible.

"The crazy part is running and pushing myself and not having that pain because I played for so long with it," Tucker said. "It's just weak now but to not have that pain is everything."

"I'm so happy just to be able to get tired. You sit around so much. It's been two months since I played," he added. "To get out here and mix it up with the guys a little bit, doing drills and running up and down, it was a blessing."

TagsNBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, PJ Tucker, phoenix suns, Phoenix Suns rumors