The Los Angeles Clippers announced on Sunday that veteran forward P.J. Tucker will be stepping away from the team “for the time being” as they work together to determine the best situation for him moving forward, told ESPN.
“We’ve had ongoing conversations with P.J. throughout the offseason and have both decided that he won’t be with the team for the time being,” the Clippers said in a statement. “P.J. is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career, and there’s more he wants to accomplish.”
Tucker joined the Clippers last season as part of the trade that brought James Harden over from the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he saw limited action with the team, appearing in only 28 games, primarily off the bench. During his time on the court, he averaged just 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.
At 39 years old, Tucker picked up his $11.5 million player option with the Clippers for the current season. It remains unclear what the Clippers and Tucker will decide regarding their split or which team might be willing to acquire him through a buyout agreement. Tucker has not participated in any preseason games so far and was notably absent from the team’s media day.
Tucker was initially drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft out of the University of Texas. After spending five seasons playing overseas, he returned to the NBA for the 2012-13 season and went on to play for multiple teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat before landing in Philadelphia in 2022. Over his career, Tucker has averaged 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds across 883 games. He also won an NBA Championship with the Bucks in 2021.
The Clippers’ decision to part ways with Tucker highlights the team’s evolving roster dynamics as they prepare for the upcoming season. As both parties work toward a resolution, the veteran forward’s next move remains uncertain, but his experience and contributions over the years suggest he could still be a valuable asset for another NBA team.