According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Clippers have sent PJ Tucker and Bones Hyland home.
Tucker and Hyland are expected to rejoin the Clippers after the All-Star break.
“The Clippers sent home two players – PJ Tucker and Bones Hyland – from their road trip vs. the Warriors, and both players are expected to rejoin the team after All-Star break, sources tell The Athletic,” Charania wrote. “Amid three months of frustrations, the Clippers and Tucker have had productive discussions this week about the disgruntled forward staying ready for potentially re-entering the rotation, according to league sources. The conversations stemmed from weeks of boiling frustrations surrounding Tucker and his lack of playing time, according to those sources. It led to much-needed and strong conversations among all parties, those sources said.
“After The Athletic reported on Dec. 11 that Tucker and the Clippers were discussing a resolution to his frustration via a move elsewhere or internally, no deal occurred at last week’s trade deadline. A buyout has not gained traction yet as Tucker has a $11.5 million player option for next season.”
The Clippers are 35-17 on the season. They are in third place in the Western Conference standings.
LAC acquired Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden trade. Tucker has only appeared in 12 games with the Clippers. He hasn’t played since November 27.
Meanwhile, Hyland hasn’t played since January 31. He’s only appeared in 19 games this season.
Tucker is averaging 1.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists on the season with the Sixers and Clippers, while Hyland is averaging 6.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
LAC has never been to the NBA Finals in franchise history. Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook are looking to change that this season.
The Clippers face the Golden State Warriors tonight (2/14) in their final game before the All-Star break.
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