NBA Rumors Top 3 Landing Spots For PJ Tucker, Now A Clippers Trade Candidate

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, "multiple contending teams" are monitoring PJ Tucker's situation with the Los Angeles Clippers. The veteran forward recently commented that "there's not enough basketballs on the planet for this team", indicating his frustrations playing with the combination of ball-dominant players like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

In fact, in 12 games with the Clippers, Tucker has scored a TOTAL of 14 points. Yes, he's averaging 1.2 points per night in 14 minutes average time on the court. And he's not the least bit happy about it: 

“I was a 30-minute game starter for the last I don't know how many years. To go from that to, in the same season, not playing at all… It's everything. Obviously, it's not what I want to do right now at this stage of my career.”

With that in mind, we look at 3 of the most sensible destinations in a Tucker deal if the Clippers pull the trigger on a trade, or buy him out:

Milwaukee Bucks

This reunion makes the most sense, as Tucker was an integral playoff piece for the Bucks in their 2021 run to the NBA title. He played 30 minutes a night during that postseason run. What this would mean for Jae Crowder when he comes back from injury in about a month, would be another question. Crowder, who would occupy the same role on the team as Tucker, was shooting over 51% from three-point range for the Bucks in that role in 26 minutes a night before going down with a groin injury after nine games.

Dallas Mavericks

For a team that ranks 23rd of 30 teams in defensive rating, adding a tough-nosed wing defender like Tucker would be a big boost on that end of the floor. And Tucker's inability to score? No problem when you've got Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Miami Heat

Tucker had a nice run with the Heat in 2021-22, and Miami really hasn't been able to replace him since he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency after that season. He provided leadership, tough defense, and even shot 41.5% from three, and 45% in the postseason as he helped the Heat all the way to the Conference Finals. 

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