Will Former 76ers Trade Piece Land Buyout After Recent Separation?

PJ Tucker was taken aback when he was included in the James Harden blockbuster trade that included the Los Angeles Clippers, considering that he had only played in three games for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

After playing as a full-time starter in Philadelphia for the previous season, Tucker was excited about the chance to play for the Clippers in the West, even though it was initially shocking. Tucker’s minutes as a substitute player were cut in half, which initially made his role in LA somewhat less significant.

He eventually lost his position completely, and since Los Angeles’ nine-point defeat to the Denver Nuggets on November 27, he hasn’t set foot on the court.

Tucker was considered a potential trade candidate by the Clippers for several months. Tucker is still on the Clippers’ roster as of this writing, even though the deadline has passed. It’s no secret that the seasoned forward wants to be a member of a team that competes for the playoffs. Although the Clippers meet the requirements, Tucker does not currently have minutes in their rotation.

Some teams were expecting a potential buyout because Tucker was not getting much trade traction. It became increasingly evident over time that Tucker and the Clippers were not moving in that direction.

Could what happened this week alter that? A buyout “has not gained traction,” as Shams Charania of The Athletic puts it.

Tucker is still frustrated in LA at this point. The Clippers sent him home after he reached a breaking point as they traveled to Golden State for a brief stop before the NBA’s All-Star break. Tucker is anticipated to rejoin the Clippers after the one-week break with the goal of eventually regaining a role.

At this point, a buyout for Tucker seems unlikely, but in the NBA, anything is possible. If Tucker were to reach a buyout, a few potential suitors would probably show interest in him. If the Sixers were considering a reunion after failing to acquire a frontcourt player the previous week, it wouldn’t be shocking.

In the days following the trade deadline, Tucker will be a player to watch in the free agency market, but the Clippers don’t appear to be in the running to make that happen just yet.