Los Angeles Says Goodbye to P.J. Tucker โ at Least for Now
In the bustling city of Los Angeles, it seems like the former Lakers on-court buddy, P.J. Tucker, is packing his bags and getting ready for a new adventure. The Clippers, the team he joined not too long ago, announced over the weekend that Tucker will be โaway from the team for the time being.โ Talk about a twist in the story!
Whatโs the Deal?
The team released a statement that sheds some light on the situation. They mentioned ongoing conversations theyโve had with Tucker throughout the offseason. In a sense, both sides are on the same page, deciding together that itโs best for Tucker to step away for now. The statement read: โP.J. is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career, and thereโs more he wants to accomplish.โ Sounds like a respectful parting of ways, right?
Tucker is a seasoned veteran in the league, being 39 years old and all. He picked up that hefty $11.5 million player option, which means heโs set for some serious cash this season. Thereโs still a bit of mystery hanging in the air since itโs not clear whatโll happen with the split or what team might bite the bullet and buy him out of that deal.
How Was His Time at the Clippers?
So, what was P.J.โs time with the Clippers really like? Well, after the Clippers pulled off a trade to snag James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers last season, Tucker found himself in Los Angeles but rarely got to show off his skills. He appeared in 28 games, mostly taking the bench, averaging a humble 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in about 15 minutes of playtime. Yikes! Itโs clear that he didnโt get to make a significant impact during his time in L.A.
To add to the mystery, Tucker wasnโt present at media day and has also missed the preseason games so far. Looks like heโs taking a little break from all the basketball chaos. But hey, itโs not like heโs new to NBA drama; heโs been in the game for a while now!
A Quick Look Back at His Career
For those who might need a refresher on Tucker’s career: he made his NBA debut back in 2006 after being snagged in the second round by the Toronto Raptors. After spending some time playing professionally overseas, he returned to the NBA in the 2012-13 season. Since then, heโs suited up for the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Miami Heat before landing in Philadelphia in 2022. With stints like that, itโs no wonder heโs got some experience under his belt!
Throughout his career, Tucker has averaged about 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds across a whopping 883 games. Oh, and letโs not forget that he snagged a championship ring with the Bucks in 2021. Not too shabby for a guy whoโs been grinding for years!
Looking Ahead
As the Clippers gear up to kick off their season against the Phoenix Suns on October 23, all eyes will be on how they navigate this unexpected turn of events with Tucker. Who knows what the future holds for him? Whether he finds a new home or decides to ride out the rest of his career in a different jersey, one thingโs for sure โ there will always be more to come in this wild NBA story.
For now, Tuckerโs holding off while the Clippers figure things out. Hereโs hoping he finds the right fit to keep his basketball dreams alive!
