Houston Rockets News: Key Starter’s Contract to Be Fully Guaranteed

The Houston Rockets are happy with PJ Tucker and have made that message clear. Having dealt one starting centre last week, the Rockets are not going to let another get away too quickly.

Houston Rockets’ Contract Situation

The Rockets are guaranteeing Tucker’s contract for next season, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Tucker will enter next season on the final year of his four-year, $32 million contracts. Tucker’s salary of $7.97M will now be completely guaranteed for the 2020-21 season, with the veteran forward accepting a larger role in Houston’s rotation following the trade deadline last week. Only $2.57M was originally guaranteed.

Houston has several of its key rotation players under contract with Tucker for next season, including James Harden ($40.8MM), Russell Westbrook ($41M), Eric Gordon ($16.8M) and Robert Covington ($12.1M). The team is 6.5 games out of first place in the West at 33-19.

The 34-year-old has been a vital member of the Rockets since signing a four-year deal with them.  He appeared in all 82 games during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons for Houston. In three seasons in Houston, Tucker is averaging 6.9 points (37.1% on 3-pointers) and 6.0 rebounds. He’s one of the NBA’s best and toughest defenders

Tucker, who turns 35 in May, will likely serve as the club’s starting centre going forward as they test a new variation of small-ball. He’s taking the challenging task head-on thus far, holding his ground in the middle despite being only 6-foot-5. His role with the Rockets has become even more critical since their trade of Clint Capela.

He’s regarded as one of the NBA’s best and toughest defenders.