A year ago during training camp, the Clippers had a veteran who wanted a new chance somewhere else in Marcus Morris — he wasn’t with the team on its first road trip of the season. Los Angeles ended up trading Morris to Philadelphia, part of the James Harden deal (then the 76ers traded him at the deadline to the Spurs, who waived him, and Morris closed the season with the Cavaliers).
This season, Los Angeles finds itself in a similar situation with PJ Tucker – in the last year of his contract, not part of the team’s current or future plans – so both sides have decided that he will be away from the team for the foreseeable future until the situation can be resolved, the Clippers announced. From the team’s statement:
“We have had ongoing conversations with PJ during the offseason and both have decided that he will not be with the team for the time being. PJ is a professional who has achieved a lot in his career and there is more that he wants to accomplish. We will continue to work with PJ and his representative to find the best situation for him going forward.”
Tucker was with the Clippers at training camp in Hawaii but did not play in the team’s only preseason game so far. He also did not attend a media day.
Tucker, 39, believes he can still help a challenger. The Clippers sought to trade him at last February’s deadline and this offseason, without a deal being struck. The Clippers are looking to either get him to a contender who wants him or to a team that will buy him out and make him a free agent, but those trades have yet to materialize.
Tucker filled a valuable role for many years as a physical inside linebacker who could reliably hit corner 3s on offense, but his defensive value slipped with age. Both sides are betting that once the season starts and other teams get a clearer assessment of where they are, the market for Tucker will open up and a trade can be found. Until then, he won’t be with the Clippers.
