Could the former 76ers starter sign a buyout with the Clippers?

Last season, PJ Tucker was a full-time starter with the Philadelphia 76ers after signing a three-year deal to join the team via free agency.

While Tucker resumed that role during his second season under new head coach Nick Nurse, the Sixers clearly had some buyer’s remorse.

The Sixers and the Los Angeles Clippers struck a blockbuster deal on Halloween morning. To no surprise, the headliner of the deal was the ten-time All-Star, James Harden.

In the months leading up to the start of the 2023-2024 NBA season, Harden was known to be pushing his way out of Philly and hoped to land with the Clippers. Harden’s wish came true, but two of his Sixers teammates were caught in the crossfire.

At this point, the Clippers already closed the book on the rookie big man, Filip Petrusev. Not long after landing Petrusev, the Clippers flipped him to the Sacramento Kings. And while the Clippers no longer see Tucker as an ideal fit in their rotation, they aren’t desperate to cut ties with him at this time.

Over the last few weeks, Tucker has been regarded as a potential trade candidate that contending teams could consider bringing in for the right price. However, Tucker’s $11 million salary for this season, along with an $11.5 million player option for next year, makes teams hesitant to strike a deal for the 38-year-old forward.

Tucker could be a great buyout candidate for championship-hopeful squads, but the Clippers are rumored to be willing to keep Tucker in the event they don’t find a trade partner to take him off their hands.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, league sources do not anticipate Tucker’s buyout in LA. While things may change in the future, Tucker appears to have no choice except to reach a buyout, which would allow him to sign anywhere.

Since joining the Clippers in November, Tucker has appeared in just 12 games. He averaged 14 minutes off the bench, putting up one point per game and coming down with two boards per outing. The veteran hasn’t appeared on the court since the Clippers’ November 27 loss against the Denver Nuggets. Although he’s healthy, the veteran has collected 30 consecutive DNPs.