One of the Los Angeles Clippers’ top earners is still determined to leave after requesting a trade in February.
The Clippers’ 2023-24 season was yet another disappointing one as Tyronn Lue’s team lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks.
Kawhi Leonard only played in two of the six games and the duo of James Harden and Paul George did not have enough to overcome Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
George has since swapped LA for Philadelphia and the Clippers now look likely to miss the postseason in the upcoming campaign.
What makes matters even worse is that one of their players – who is on an $11.5 million contract – wants to be traded away.
NBA veteran wants to leave Los Angeles Clippers
NBA veteran P.J. Tucker joined the Clippers from the 76ers last November as part of the Harden trade.
The 39-year-old played just 28 regular season games for his new team and only made Lue’s playoff rotation once Leonard suffered another injury.
He first requested a trade in February and was fined $75,000 by the NBA for going public with his desire to leave.
Nothing has changed since then as he waits for the Clippers to agree a deal with another team before the the 2024-25 season.
“P.J. is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career and there’s more he wants to accomplish,” the Clippers said in a statement on Sunday.
“We will continue working with P.J. and his representative to find the best situation for him moving forward.”
Which teams could trade for P.J. Tucker?
Tucker does not have many years left in the NBA so he will be looking to join a playoff-bound team, better than the Clippers.
He is a solid three-point shooter but his best attribute is his defence. He may no longer be capable of guarding the opposing team’s best player for 30+ minutes but he is still good on that side of the floor.
One team that could trade for Tucker is the Indiana Pacers – who had the seventh-worst defensive rating (117.6) of all 30 teams in the NBA last season.
Another potential suitor is the Milwaukee Bucks – where Tucker won the NBA title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021.
