Clippers Rumors: P.J. Tucker Linked to Suns, Bucks If Bought Out amid Trade Buzz

Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker will have a market should a team buy him out of his contract, according to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer.

Fischer reported the Washington Wizards have been linked with a trade for Tucker. Were they to acquire the 38-year-old, they'd likely waive him and let him sign with a contender.

The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks would be interested in Tucker if he became a free agent, per Fischer.

Tucker, who joined the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade, hasn't suited up since a 113-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 27. In December, he told Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com he was upset with his role—or lack thereof—in Los Angeles.

Given both his long layoff and the team's surge up the Western Conference standings, it's tough to envision Tucker donning a Clippers jersey again. A trade before Feb. 8 or an outright buyout would suit both parties.

The obvious question is whether the 6'5" forward is still good enough to be a meaningful contributor on a title contender.

Tucker averaged 3.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game with the Philadelphia 76ers last year. To open the current campaign, he's putting up 1.3 points and 2.9 boards a night while shooting just 31.6 percent from the floor, including 31.3 percent from beyond the arc.

For the Bucks and Suns, the cost of adding Tucker would at least be significantly reduced in a buyout scenario. He has an $11 million salary for this season and an $11.5 million player option in 2024-25. Even if they were to send out minimal assets in a trade, his contract would be a little unwieldy.

But there's often a reason an aging vet hits the buyout market, and the actual returns on the court often fall short of expectations.

Remember when some NBA general managers were reportedly upset by Andre Drummond signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and the tandem of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge winding up with the Brooklyn Nets? Drummond was a bust for the Lakers, who lost in the first round of the playoffs, while the Nets were undone by injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden along with a lack of continuity.

In the case of the Bucks, signing Goran Dragić after the 2023 deadline generated some excitement. He wound up making nine appearances for Milwaukee between the regular season and playoffs.

If this were two or three years ago, there might be some real allure to getting Tucker for the stretch run. Now, he might be of limited use for franchises with Milwaukee and Phoenix's lofty aspirations.