The NBA champion of 2021 and power forward of the Los Angeles Clippers, P.J. Tucker, was hoping to land with another club before the trade deadline was concluded. The veteran forward wanted to go to a club where he could play and compete for another title with more time given to him.
However, things did not happen the way Tucker was hoping, and the present situation has subsequently garnered exasperation from the player. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, "Development: The Clippers sent home two players – Bones Hyland and PJ Tucker – from road trip vs. Warriors tonight, sources say. Both are expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break."
Development: The Clippers sent home two players – Bones Hyland and PJ Tucker – from road trip vs. Warriors tonight, sources say. Both are expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break. https://t.co/YkhZiWm026
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2024
Tucker played his last game on November 27th, and the veteran scored no points in his last six games. He had also been frustrated as the time given for him to play was shorter.
According to ClutchPoints, Tucker shared earlier, "I feel like I still got a lot to contribute to a team to be able to win, whether that"s here or somewhere else. I know myself, my worth. I know what I bring. I know what I"ve brought. I know what I can continue to bring. And with that, I want to be able to go to a good team that I can be able to help that."
Regarding his incomplete trade prospects, Tucker shared, "Coming here, you try to figure out the best way possible to be able to do what you do. But, you know, like I said, sometimes you see it and it ain"t there. Sometimes you see it, but the team doesn"t see it the way you see it."
He had also revealed about the buyout, stating, "That’s not on the table". Tucker was picked in the 2006 NBA Draft in the second round as the thirty-fifth overall pick. He was selected by the Toronto Raptors. In his long career, he played with many clubs, including the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers.
The head coach of the Clippers squad, which is standing third in the Western Conference, Tyronn Lue, has also expressed his opinions regarding the situation, as both Tucker and Bones Hyland are home and the All-Star break comes ahead.
He stated, "I mean it"s a good thing because I played the game and I understand that you want to have competitors on your team. They want to play. And so when you try to get traded and it doesn"t work out and you want to go to a place where you want to play, it doesn"t mean they"re not happy here, which they are. But they want to play, they want to compete."
The Clippers have recently defeated the Golden State Warriors, who are 26-26 for the season and are currently occupying tenth place in the Western Conference. As the Clippers move forward with Tucker, it will be revealed if the squad needs the player to maximize his plays or if the club decides to later restructure.
PJ Tucker is looking for the Clippers to free him but is not willing to accept a buyout
"I feel like I shouldn't have to go through this. I didn't ask to be here. I didn't ask for and I didn't demand a trade to be here."
(Via https://t.co/XhEak1yjnm) pic.twitter.com/3VqxO5j5NN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 15, 2024
The veteran talent however shares a positive message considering his focus and his age. He stated, "That"s natural, regardless of what"s going on with the front office. [I have] a responsibility to the guys to be positive. It"s not their fault. I"m 38. I know the game. I know what it takes. It"s something that, like I can"t get out of shape. I get out of shape, it might be over, I might get injured, all kind of shit can happen. We"re older."
