P.J. Tucker would “love” to discuss a contract extension with the Rockets this offseason, two people close to the veteran forward tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic. While it’s not clear if the Rockets are ready to get something done with two years still remaining on Tucker’s deal, both sides have talked about his long-term future, Iko writes.
As we detailed earlier today, Tucker appears to be very much available in trade talks, so it remains to be seen whether he’ll even be in Houston by the time the 2019/20 season gets underway. However, Iko says the Rockets would like to have Tucker retire with the team and perhaps even take on a role with the franchise after his playing days are over. A Tucker trade would elicit “strong disapproval” from James Harden and head coach Mike D’Antoni, Iko adds.
Although Tucker turned 34 years old last month, he continued to play a crucial role for the Rockets in 2018/19, starting all 82 games for the club and averaging 38.7 MPG in 11 playoff contests. His ability to knock down threes on offense (.377 3PT%), along with his versatility on the defensive end, makes him one of the club’s most valuable players.
He’s also on a team-friendly contract that runs through the 2020/21 season. That deal will pay him $8.35MM in 2019/20 before dipping to $7.97MM in its final year. That ’20/21 salary is also only partially guaranteed for about $2.57MM, per Basketball Insiders’ data.
While it’s hard to imagine the Rockets tacking too many more years onto Tucker’s contract (assuming they retain him), extending his deal by one or two seasons and guaranteeing his ’20/21 salary could make sense. The over-38 rule would complicate an extension longer than two years.
Eric Gordon will be another candidate for an extension if he remains on the Rockets’ roster, Iko notes. Gordon and Tucker will both become extension-eligible in July.
He is 34 and under control for 2 more years but wants an extension? Ok
Exactly. Not happening.
Yea, he doesn’t even have any negotiating power except he could retire voluntarily.
Lol I was thinking the same thing. He should be grateful as a 34 year old role player, that he has a guaranteed contract til 2021.
Can’t fault him for asking, but the Rockets have a bunch of issues to decide before they add even one below market year to his current deal.
he lost a step last season and is basically a undersized power forward while he is valuable in certain schemes and against certain teams it would be wise to try and upgrade either the PF or the SF spot. But long stretches of CP3 chins, Gordon,Harden,Tucker and Caplea is no Bueno.
It is always nice to upgrade but their #3 or 4 Tucker will still be starting and the Rockets will benefit from his hustle and activity. Him “losing a step” doesn’t even mean anything especially since they’re slowing down overall, and that he will probably be at PF and outmoves about everyone in the lane. Morey may come up with something new at SF but replacing Tucker with someone cheap will blow up.
Now if they trade Capella and wind up with a more finesse-type center then Tucker will look a lot more undersized. They will hurt themselves if they trade either. Whatever they had their chances.
there are only a few trades that would be a upgrade from tucker … one of them being Iggy which I don’t think GSW would do… but if you if you start Iggy/Faried(assuming he take mid level to stay)and capela in front court I like it a lot.
They are gonna trade capela and keep gordon and pj. Horford for clint would be nice
id rather have capela on this team instead of horford .. unless they take cp3 chins and give up a pick and or smart…
BOS
Capela
Paul
Hou
Horford
Smart
I like it for both teams actually.
why would you even say that knowing all the shii Hou going thru right now smh he basically just asked for a trade low key
Tucker has energy & health to spare. Missed one game in four years, plus 38 playoff games at 32’mpg. He should be as good for extra effort at 37 as many are at 30. An extra year might keep him from saving himself for the next contract and being ordinary.