With a 7-3 record in their last ten games, the Los Angeles Clippers are beginning to turn things around after acquiring James Harden. However, not everyone has been entirely content with their position on the team. According to The Athletic, veteran forward P.J. Tucker has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with his position on the team. He and the Clippers have reportedly discussed finding Tucker’s place on the team or possibly trading him.
Tucker is averaging less than 14 minutes per game with the team, the lowest of his career, and has not played in any of the last five games for L.A. Despite being a part of the trade that sent Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers, he hasn’t really established himself on the squad. Rather, L.A. has made it a point to play younger players before him. Tucker has reportedly been professional and helpful to the younger players, according to Shams Charania, but it seems like he still wants more playing time.
Particularly in his later years, Tucker has established himself as a reliable three-and-d player, contributing significantly to the rotations of championship-chasing teams such as the Heat, Bucks, and Rockets. But he hasn’t had a great start to the season since being traded to the Clippers. In the 12 games he has played in Los Angeles this season, he has only scored 14 points and is shooting just 27.3% from three point range.
It appears that Tucker and the Clippers would be open to a possible trade elsewhere if they are unable to agree on a role within the team. Nevertheless, Tucker won’t produce much in the way of a deal given his lackluster play. Another possibility is that Tucker’s contract could be bought out, enabling him to sign with a different contender; however, that might not occur immediately, as Los Angeles might want to weigh all of its options before simply agreeing to pay him to leave the team.
Several teams will undoubtedly be eager to give Tucker a try to see if he still has it in him if he does become available as a buyout option or via trade. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.