As the Los Angeles Clippers and PJ Tucker rifle through their contacts in hopes of finding a suitable trade destination for the veteran forward, multiple contenders “have held conversations with” Tucker’s agent, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko and Law Murray.
A number of contenders — including the 76ers, Heat, Bucks and Suns — have held trade conversations with P.J. Tucker’s representation, sources told myself and @LawMurrayTheNU. The 14-year veteran remains away from the team, hopeful for a solution.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 25, 2024
The Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns are among those teams. Tucker has familiarity with each of those four after playing for them in the past. In fact, the Sixers are the team that traded Tucker to the Clippers, loading his salary into the James Harden package.
At Least 4 Teams Expressing Trade Interest In Clippers’ PJ Tucker
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers’ interest in Tucker might not be expected since they traded him last November. However, Philly has loaded up their roster like a cheesesteak in hopes of making a run to the NBA Finals. Furthermore, while the Sixers amassed quite a lot of talent this offseason, they’re still lacking at the defensive end.
If Tucker was acquired, he would enter a forward rotation that includes players like Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Caleb Martin, and Guerschon Yabusele. That being said, George’s preseason injury and the possibility he doesn’t play back-to-backs in the regular season could lead to Tucker playing regularly.
To complete a trade, the Sixers may need to combine the salaries of KJ Martin, Ricky Council IV, and Reggie Jackson. If so, it’s worth noting that neither Martin nor Jackson can be traded until Dec. 15.
Miami Heat
Tucker played for the Heat in 2021-22, a season that ended with a Game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. Put another way, Miami was quite successful with Tucker on the roster. The veteran may have been a placeholder, but he started in 70 of the 71 games he played that season.
With Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro still in Miami, returning to South Beach could be like riding a bike. Whether he starts will depend on Spoelstra’s assessment of Nikola Jovic. Regardless of that though, there are few players who are better representations of Heat Culture.
To complete a trade for Tucker, the Heat may surrender Duncan Robinson, who is owed $19.4 million this season. To make salaries match, the Clippers would likely have to send Tucker, Bones Hyland, Kobe Brown, and Cam Christie to Miami.
Milwaukee Bucks
Tucker has played just 43 games for the Bucks. Yet, those look like 43 of the most important games in franchise history. By the time he left Milwaukee, the Bucks had captured a title for the first time in 50 years. He wasn’t just a background player either, as he started in 20 of those games, with 19 coming in the playoffs.
Mike Budenholzer and Jrue Holiday are gone, replaced by Doc Rivers and Damian Lillard. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez are still in their core. If Tucker returns to Milwaukee, he could start and fit like a glove. That being said, with Rivers’ preference for veterans, he could even play substantial minutes off the bench.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, completing a trade for Tucker will force them into a tough decision. Because they’re a second apron team, they can’t combine salaries. That essentially limits them to choosing between Tucker and Bobby Portis (who’s making $12.6 million this season). Yet, Portis is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year contender.
Phoenix Suns
Of the four contenders said to have interest in Tucker, he played for the Suns the longest. In fact, when he made his triumphant return to the NBA in 2012-13, it was with Phoenix. The former second-round pick stayed in The Valley for four-plus seasons, earning a reputation as an elite defender.
Ironically, the Suns are the only team Tucker played for that didn’t reach the playoffs. Should he return to Phoenix, he’ll have a much better chance this time around though. Instead of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, the Suns are being led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Tucker, who would reunite with Budenholzer, probably won’t be a starter. However, Phoenix’s second unit frontcourt is very young, and somebody as seasoned as Tucker would be an attractive fit. To complete the trade, the Suns just have to be willing to trade a different veteran: Grayson Allen.
