LA Clippers coach Ty Lue shared his thoughts on the status of PJ Tucker, who is frustrated with his role and has expressed his desire to move to another team. However, the NBA Trade Deadline expired and the veteran forward remained with the Western Conference powerhouse.
Lue praised PJ Tucker for his competitiveness and desire to play, and is hopeful that the former NBA champion will find his place in the rotation after the All-Star Break. The Clippers sent PJ Tucker home to take a few days off, as the league will have an one-week break.
“When you’ve got guys like PJ, who have another year left on his deal, he can ride off into the sunset, he’s 70 years old. He wants to play, he wants to compete. And so you understand that you want guys like that. So the trade didn’t happen, they’re going to be here. So we’re just gonna give them a little time off, get their minds right and come back [for] Oklahoma City and be ready to go,” Ty Lue said, via Bleacher Report.
The Clippers have been playing consistently for weeks now and have emerged as a legit title contender in the West. They are third with a 36-17 record and will return to action next Thursday to take on the OKC Thunder, who are just half a game ahead (37-17).
PJ Tucker says he ‘didn’t ask’ to join the LA Clippers
PJ Tucker moved to the LA Clippers as part of the trade that sent James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers at the start of the regular season. Even though he initially had a role in the lineup, he struggled and remains out of the rotation since late November.
“I feel like I shouldn’t have to go through this. I didn’t ask to be here. I didn’t ask for and I didn’t demand a trade to be here,” PJ Tucker told Clutchpoints, via Bleacher Report.
Tucker, who is averaging just 1.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15 games this season, has a player option, worth $11,5 million, for the 2024-25 season.
