Los Angeles Clippers wing P.J. Tucker is no stranger to being on the move during his NBA career. He was already traded once this season, as part of the James Harden blockbuster deal, from the Philadelphia 76ers out west to the Clippers.
Los Angeles is the seventh different franchise Tucker has played for in his NBA career. He also spent five seasons overseas playing in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Germany. There aren’t many players who are as well traveled as Tucker, who could be on the move again in the coming weeks.
It has been nearly two months since Tucker was last on the court with the Clippers, getting in the game for six minutes against the Denver Nuggets on November 27th. Head coach Tyronn Lue opted to make a lineup change after that, which included removing Tucker from the rotation.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: P.J. Tucker, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
With the trade deadline less than three weeks away, Tucker is someone who could be on the move again. One of his former teams, the Milwaukee Bucks, have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the veteran should he reach waivers.
“The Clippers’ P.J. Tucker remains a strong trade candidate, with the Wizards being mentioned as a possible landing spot, sources said. Washington would offer the opportunity of a buyout for Tucker. The Suns and Bucks are two teams considered possible homes for Tucker if he were to become a free agent, sources said,” via Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Phoenix Suns are another one of Tucker’s former teams, as he played 4.5 seasons in the desert upon his return to the NBA. With the Bucks, Tucker played only half a season with the team, but it was a magical one as he helped them win the NBA Finals over the Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: P.J. Tucker, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
However, moving on from Los Angeles is easier said than done. The Clippers don’t want to move him and then see Tucker end up on a Western Conference contender, directly competing against them in a big game. That would be mitigated should Tucker join the Bucks in the Eastern Conference, but it doesn’t sound like a risk Los Angeles is willing to take currently.
This is a situation that is going to play out right up until the trade deadline. Being under contract for the 2024-25 season also complicated things for Tucker’s trade market as teams won’t be eager to add that kind of salary onto their books.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
