Clippers Rumors: P.J. Tucker Unlikely to Get Contract Buyout After NBA Trade Deadline

P.J. Tucker is unlikely to be bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers after not being moved at Thursday's trade deadline, according to Andscape's Marc J. Spears.

Tucker's name had popped up in trade rumors when The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Dec. 11 that the veteran had "expressed frustration about his current situation with the team, and both sides are discussing ways to resolve a role for him there or elsewhere."

Tucker confirmed his frustration while speaking with Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points on Dec. 12:

"I feel like I still got a lot to contribute to a team to be able to win, whether that's here or somewhere else. I know myself, my worth. I know what I bring. I know what I've brought. I know what I can continue to bring. And with that, I want to be able to go to a good team that I can be able to help that."

Tucker was initially sent to the Clippers in October alongside James Harden and Filip Petrusev in the deal that sent Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum and KJ Martin to the Philadelphia 76ers.

He averaged 22 minutes per game across three contests with the Sixers in 2023-24 prior to being traded and also averaged 2.0 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 40.0 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep.

The 38-year-old has had a very limited role in Los Angeles, averaging just 14.4 minutes per game across 12 contests. He's also averaging just 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 28.6 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from deep with the Clippers.

However, Tucker has been out of L.A.'s lineup entirely over the last 34 games dating back to Nov. 29 and it's unclear what his role will look like moving forward if the Clippers don't plan to move on.

There isn't much room for a struggling Tucker in a Clippers lineup that also includes Ivica Zubac, Daniel Theis, Kawhi Leonard and Kobe Brown. And while Brown hasn't had much of an offensive impact, Tucker's offensive production was bad enough for head coach Tyronn Lue to sit him.

Prior to his stint in L.A., Tucker had been a consistent role player for whomever he played for over the last decade, including the Sixers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets.

In 13 seasons, he's averaging 6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from beyond the arc.