The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams and resemble a championship contender. But that doesn’t mean they are whole.
Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Clippers are exploring the market ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline to see what they could get for guard Bones Hyland and forward P.J. Tucker.
Both players have had minimal roles in LA, with Tucker coming to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. He hasn’t played since Nov. 27.
Hyland, 23, is 6-foot-2 and plays both guard positions. He is averaging 6.4 points and 1.8 assists, shooting 37 percent from the field and 31 percent on 3-pointers. He carries NBA career averages of 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds with the Clippers and Denver Nuggets.
His role has decreased significantly since the arrival of Harden.
Tucker, 38, has appeared in just 15 games and is averaging 1.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. He carries career averages of 6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 37 percent shooting on 3-pointers, with the Clippers, Sixers, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
“Tucker hasn’t played since Nov. 27 and has been frustrated with his role and wants to help a good team,” Scotto wrote. “Should the Clippers fail to find a suitable trade partner, Tucker is not expected to discuss a buyout, league sources told HoopsHype. The veteran forward has an $11.54 million player option for next season, as noted on our Clippers salaries page.”
The Clippers (30-15) enter Wednesday night with the fourth seed in the air-tight Western Conference. They’re just two games back of the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves and 1.5 games behind the defending champion Denver Nuggets for second.
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