PJ Tucker has come up in James Harden trade talks between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and only wants to get traded to the Clippers.
“PJ Tucker, Harden’s longtime teammate with the Rockets and Sixers, has come up in trade discussions between the 76ers and Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “The Clippers covet Tucker’s ability to guard multiple positions and defend the league’s top opposing scorers. Tucker is owed $11 million this upcoming year and has a $11.54 million player option for the 2024-25 season.”
Tucker appeared in 75 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged 3.5 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the field, 39.3% from beyond the arc and 82.6% from the free-throw line. As Scotto mentioned, Tucker and Harden are very close friends.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max deal this summer, he opted into his player option for next season and requested a trade. The future Hall of Famer believes he should be compensated fairly after averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
Harden is extremely upset at the way in which Philly handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise. There is strong optimism on Harden’s side that he will be traded to the Clippers since both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining them in Los Angeles.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Sixers don’t have to honor Harden’s trade request since the 10-time All-Star doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. However, Harden requested trades from both the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets and got his wish, so history shows that he’ll eventually get traded by the Sixers.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
