Clippers forward P.J. Tucker expressed disappointment he wasn’t moved at Thursday’s deadline after being sparsely used following his trade from Philadelphia. However, the Clippers indicated that he’s in their plans following the deadline.
“We like P.J. here and he’ll get an opportunity,” head coach Tyronn Lue said (Twitter video link via The Athletic’s Law Murray). “That’s part of the game, you’re going to get frustrated because everybody wants to play. P.J. will be OK.”
The Clippers did try to trade Tucker, but his age and $11.5MM player option for next season limited his value on the market, Murray writes. Despite the fact that he lost his rotation spot, the front office still believes Tucker is capable of being a playoff contributor and guarding bigger forwards, according to Murray.
We have more notes out of Los Angeles:
- The Clippers had a quiet trade deadline and appear to be happy to avoid any more midseason roster changes, The Orange County Register’s Janis Carr writes. The team already made a big splash this season by trading for James Harden in October. L.A. struggled to find consistency right away but has since lost just nine of 31 games and is a single game out of first in the Western Conference. “I think what we’ve done since acquiring James and the different rotations, different combinations and finally getting it down to where it works for our team is really good,” Lue said. “Just having familiarity with each other on the floor, I think guys are feeling comfortable in their roles, their minutes, and how we’re playing. So, to break that up, I’m glad that didn’t happen. I’m happy for the team we have, the guys we have in the locker room, and we’ll see what we have going forward.“
- Lakers forward Cam Reddish was cleared to begin on-court progression and ramp-up work, according to The Orange County Register’s Khobi Price (Twitter link). The hope is that Reddish will be able to return soon after the All-Star break. Reddish is averaging 6.7 points this season in 35 games (26 starts).
- After exiting the second quarter of the Lakers‘ Thursday game against the Nuggets with an ankle sprain, Max Christie underwent an MRI on his right ankle, tweets ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The team is awaiting the results. Christie is averaging 5.0 points per game this season.
Is clear that PJ Tucker would rather have a big role than win a championship, if the team succeeds without him he hates it…
It’s going down to money eventually
Agreed. Who in their right mind will forfeit 11.5 million dollars??
There isn’t a team in the NBA that has a “big role” for PJ Tucker. Not even the Pistons or Hornets.
He should be happy that at his age he may have a legitimate playoff role. Not many 38+ year olds can say that. I get wanting to play as a competitor, but he needs to temper expectations for an offensive player who provides clear negative value on that end of the floor.
He has a championship, he just wants to play.
For a player, what’s the benefit of your team winning a championship if you’re not contributing to it?
If the Clippers win the championship should their title have an asterisk because of the fact that u guys don’t like them?
We won’t have to worry about about because it won’t happen.
PJ dude you can’t play anymore.