PJ Tucker’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers is seemingly over.
The Clippers announced Sunday that the veteran forward will be away from the team “for the time being” while they work to “find the best situation for him moving forward.”
“We had ongoing conversations with PJ during the offseason and both decided he would not be with the team for the time being,” the Clippers. . “PJ is a professional who has achieved a lot in his career and there is more he wants to achieve.”
The Clippers first acquired Tucker last season as part of their deal to acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. Tucker didn’t play much in Los Angeles last year after that deal was made, either. He appeared in 28 games, mostly off the bench, and averaged just 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15 minutes per contest.
Tucker, who turned 39 earlier this year, picked up his $11.5 million play option with the team for this season. It’s unclear what the Clippers and Tucker will agree to with their parting, or which team will be willing to buy him out of their deal to sign him. Tucker hasn’t played with the Clippers so far in the preseason this fall, and he was the only player on the team not at their media day.
Tucker, who the Toronto Raptors first selected in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft out of Texas, returned to the NBA prior to the 2012-13 campaign after spending five seasons playing professionally overseas. He spent time with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat before he arrived in Philadelphia in 2022. Overall, Tucker averaged 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 883 games in his career. He also won a championship with the Bucks in 2021.
The Clippers will open their season against the Phoenix Suns on October 23rd.
