PJ Tucker and the Los Angeles Clippers seem to have reached a mutual decision of some sort about his future in the franchise. The veteran forward has made his intentions clear in the past about his stay in LA. In fact, his candid public admissions while he was “actively trying to get traded,” had led the NBA to fining him $75,000 in early February this year. Under such circumstances, Steve Ballmer’s front office and Tucker have reached a mutual decision to stay away from each other for the foreseeable future.

Naturally, there will be questions as to how this will work out. For one, there are perhaps too many things to take into consideration with PJ Tucker’s leave-taking. As such, why don’t we take a look at the pros and cons of such a move?

Pros:

• Cap space to target a solid two-way player

Trading PJ Tucker could provide cap flexibility to sign a younger or dynamic two-way player. His opting into the $11.54 million in itself could mean that the hooper wasn’t sure he would out-earn the amount given his age and the limited opportunities it presented. For one, he didn’t particularly have a great season last year with LA. His stats show some of the lowest numbers in his career – 1.6 points on 35.6% shooting. And this is from a man who is a career 42.5%!

• Potential draft picks from teams interested in acquiring PJ Tucker

Moving on, there could be at least a few teams who would value Tucker’s veteran leadership as well as playoff experience. Although his defensive prowess might have been slightly impacted, the man still maintains a career 109.5 defensive rating. As such, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that LA will look to get some draft picks in return.

• Opportunity to add paint-dominant players who excel in pick-and-roll situations with James Harden

In extension to the first point, trading PJ Tucker can open the space for a player more suited to the traditional pick-and-roll. While the former second-round pick is a capable defender and corner shooter, he doesn’t exactly pose a vertical threat or offer inside scoring. As such, getting a big man who can roll to the basket, attract attention in the paint, and finish lobs would pair well with James Harden’s ability to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities.

Cons:

• Trading PJ Tucker could make James Harden unhappy given their close relationship

Harden and PJ bonded over their time in Houston. The former was the franchise superstar and Tucker had his NBA breakout with the Rockets. So, there’s no doubt that the pair have a long-standing relationship on and off the court. With the loss of a cornerstone player in Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard‘s availability in the hands of the basketball gods, ‘The Beard’ is naturally the next key player to turn to next. And given the 10x All-Star’s history of the route he takes when unhappy with the front office, losing a guy with whom he already has chemistry and trust could be very risky for the Clippers.

• LA’s plan of a deep playoff run can be affected, to an extent, considering their combined experience with the squad

As mentioned above, PJ Tucker does bring a wealth of experience, both in terms of leadership and playoffs. Considering the team’s championship aspirations, these intangibles matter. After all, the Clippers do rely on veteran experience to take them over the edge.

Add Tucker’s instinct for timely plays, boxing out stronger opponents, and being a defensive anchor, especially in the postseason, can make a world of difference. Of course, the team can find a suitable (or close to) replacement, but there is no guarantee they can get one who would fit perfectly into the mold right away.

• Lack of similarly comparable players in the market as of now.

The 6’5 forward possesses some unique talents – a combination of toughness, defense, and a reliable three-point shot. And these features make him quite attractive for a playoff-caliber team. As we saw above, it’s exactly the mode LA is in right now.

So, finding someone with a specific or at least similar skill set at a reasonable price point is a tough job. Bear in mind that the LA Clippers are currently hard-capped at the first apron (due to utilizing the non-tax mid-level exception).

So, there you go. But what exactly did the team have to say on the matter?

The LA Clippers provide a statement explaining the PJ Tucker scenario

In a team statement, tweeted by senior NBA insider, Michael Scotto, the Clippers noted, “We’ve had ongoing conversations with PJ throughout the offseason and have both decided that he won’t be with the team for the time being. PJ is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career and there’s more he wants to accomplish. We will continue working with PJ and his representative to find the best situation for him moving forward.”

The tweet further added another point. “Tucker is in the final year of his contract and is owed $11.54 million this season.”

The 39-year-old is a valuable role player and has established himself as a versatile defensive stalwart over the years. After his five-year stint overseas, PJ Tucker focused on expanding his skills with the Phoenix Suns, the results of which were seen in the Houston Rockets, followed by a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, a Finals trip with the Miami Heat, and a sweet three-year deal with the 76ers, with a player option in 2024-25. But his move to the Clippers (as part of the James Harden trade), clearly hasn’t worked out.

Well, what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.