NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers Preparing for PJ Tucker to Play After Opting into Contract

Despite being mentioned as a potential trade candidate earlier this summer, P.J. Tucker will likely start the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Per The Athletic's Law Murray, the Clippers are "preparing for the possibility" that Tucker will be on their roster when the regular season begins.

Murray noted the Clippers did explore trade options for Tucker, but it would be increasingly difficult to find a partner at this point with most roster spots accounted for.

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Tucker opted in to his $11.5 million salary for the 2024-25 campaign in June. Murray reported on July 2 that the Clippers were expected to part ways with the 39-year-old forward, either by trading him or by using the stretch provision to waive him.

NBA rules would allow the Clippers to pay out Tucker's remaining salary over the next three years if he were to be waived using the stretch provision by Aug. 31. The stretch provision does not apply if he is waived on Sept. 1 or later since this is the final season of his contract.

The Clippers acquired Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers in November as part of the James Harden trade. He played sparingly after the deal, including a 38-game stretch from Nov. 29 to Feb. 22 in which head coach Tyronn Lue didn't use him at all.

Tucker told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk on Feb. 6 he was "actively trying to get traded" due to unhappiness with his role in Los Angeles. He echoed those comments two days later to Andscape's Marc J. Spears.

The NBA fined Tucker $75,000 for what it said was publicly expressing a desire to be traded.

Tucker did appear in 18 of the Clippers' final 34 games, including the playoffs. He only averaged 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 28 appearances during the regular season with the club.

The Clippers could use Tucker at forward or center when they go small if he gets used in the rotation when the season begins.