P.J. Tucker's frustrations with Clippers starting to boil over
P.J. Tucker was traded to the LA Clippers as part of the James Harden deal. Since arriving on the West Coast, the veteran wing has struggled to get playing time. He has sat out the last 37 games for Ty Lue's team. As such, Tucker was hoping to be moved at the trade deadline. Yet, a trade failed to materialize, and Tucker isn't willing to accept a contract buy-out.
The veteran forward made his feelings clear during an exclusive interview with Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
“I didn't ask to be here. I didn't ask for and I didn't demand a trade to be here,” Tucker said. “So, I don't feel like it's something I have to deal with. I don't look at it as one of those things...I'm 38. I know the game. I know what it takes. It's something that, like I can't get out of shape. I get out of shape, it might be over, I might get injured, all kind of s*** can happen. We're older.”
Tucker is in the final stage of his career. He wants to play and to be contending for championships. Being moved to the Clippers and then finding himself on the bench is clearly a frustrating situation for him. However, unless Lue changes his rotation and incorporates Tucker into his system, things aren't going to change for the veteran any time soon.
At 38 years old, Tucker's impact has likely waned. He's not the elite three-and-d player he once was. He likely struggles with defensive rotations, and his role on offense would be as a stationary shooter or screener. Lue likes his team to be fluid. Having a stationary player who struggles when being put into rotation isn't conducive to postseason success. Tucker is fighting for minutes on one of the most talented rosters in the NBA.
Regardless of his frustration, Tucker is likely to remain professional when he's around the team. As a true veteran in the league, he can't expect an enormous role.
Whether he forces his way out of the Clippers at the end of the season will remain to be seen. One thing is for certain, though, Tucker couldn't have envisioned his final run in the NBA going like this. He will probably want one more crack at being part of a championship-caliber rotation before calling time on his time in the NBA.
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