P.J. Tucker is reportedly taking a leave of absence from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to the Athletic’s Shams Charania. Tucker will miss the Clippers’ game tonight against the Golden State Warriors and will rejoin the team following the All-Star break.
Amid three months of frustrations, PJ Tucker will be away from the Los Angeles Clippers to reset mindset and is expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break, sources say.
Details in The Bounce at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/ZCfq9QkYN7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2024
NBA News: Clippers Veteran Stepping Away From Team
P.J. Tucker’s Time With the Clippers
Tucker began the season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, starting all three opening regular season games. He was then traded to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade.
Since arriving in Los Angeles, the 38 year-old has found playing time hard to come by. He has appeared in only 12 games, averaging 14.4 minutes.
In those minutes, he is averaging 1.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists, attempting fewer than two shots per game.
Failed Trade Attempts
Tucker made it clear that his goal is to play significant minutes on a contending team, and he was largely expected to be traded prior to the deadline. ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported last week that Tucker himself wanted out. ”
“He’s been a mentor to the younger players but wants to play — telling ESPN that he is ‘actively trying to get traded.'”
However, there were a few roadblocks that prevented a trade from happening.
In the summer of 2022, Tucker signed a three-year, $33 million extension with the 76ers. That deal includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, when Tucker will be 39.
Other than LeBron James, Tucker is the oldest active player in the NBA. His contract is simply too expensive for contending teams to make a move for a player that his significantly past his best.
A buyout seems like the most logical way to satiate Tucker’s desires. However, Charania states that “a buyout has not been under consideration as Tucker has a $11.5 million player option for next season.”
A disgruntled Tucker took to social media to voice his frustrations following the trade deadline.
Clippers Future With P.J. Tucker
There is still hope for the Clippers wing to receive playing time as L.A. braces for a playoff run.
In Charania’s article, it is stated that “the Clippers and Tucker have had productive discussions this week about the disgruntled forward staying ready for potentially re-entering the rotation, according to league sources.”
His playoff resume speaks for itself, having played in 102 postseason games since 2016-17. In those series, Tucker’s teams reached the Conference Finals three times. Tucker was a key presence on the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2020-21 title-winning squad, averaging 31 minutes in the Finals.
Tucker’s main strength is defense, but he is largely inactive on the offensive end. That bodes well for his current situation in Los Angeles. He is surrounded by a plethora of offensive creators and finishers.
If Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue manages to reincorporate the veteran into the rotation, his playoff experience could be crucial for a team seeking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
