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Although he was mentioned as a potential trade candidate earlier this summer, PJ Tucker will likely begin the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to The Athletic Murray LawThe Clippers are “preparing for the possibility” that Tucker will be on their roster when the regular season begins.
Murray noted that the Clippers have explored trade options for Tucker, but it would be increasingly difficult to find a partner at this point with most roster spots filled.
Tucker opted for to his $11.5 million salary for the 2024-25 campaign in June. Murray On July 2, it was reported that the Clippers were expected to part ways with the 39-year-old forward, either by trading him or using the extension provision to waive him.
NBA Rules would allow the Clippers to pay Tucker’s remaining salary over the next three years if he were released using the extension provision before Aug. 31. The extension provision does not apply if he is released on Sept. 1 or later because that is the final season of his contract.
The Clippers acquired Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers in November as part of the James Harden trade. He played shortly after the deal, including a 38-game stretch from Nov. 29 to Feb. 22 in which head coach Tyronn Lue didn’t use him at all.
Tucker told ESPN Ohm Youngmisuk On February 6, he was “actively trying to get traded” due to his dissatisfaction with his role in Los Angeles. He echoed those comments two days later to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“I want to be somewhere where I’m needed, where I’m wanted and where I can do everything. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I go somewhere else, that I get bought out and I can choose where I go or where I can play,” Clippers forward PJ Tucker said. @andscape.
The NBA fined Tucker received $75,000 for what he said was a public expression of a desire to be traded.
Tucker has appeared in 18 of the Clippers’ last 34 games, including the playoffs. He has averaged just 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 28 regular-season appearances with the club.
The Clippers could use Tucker as a power forward or center when they play a small team if he is used in the rotation early in the season.
