PJ Tucker’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers is apparently over.
The Clippers announced Sunday that the veteran forward will be away from the team “for now” as they work to “find the best situation for him moving forward.”
“We have had ongoing conversations with PJ throughout the offseason and have both decided that he will not be with the team for the time being,” the Clippers said. “PJ is a professional who has achieved a lot in his career, and he wants to achieve even more.”
The Clippers first acquired Tucker last season as part of their deal to acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. Tucker also didn’t play much in Los Angeles last year after that deal was completed. He played in 28 games, mostly off the bench, and averaged just 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.
Tucker, who turned 39 earlier this year, picked up his $11.5 million player option with the team for this season. It’s unclear what the Clippers and Tucker will agree to with their split, or which team will be willing to buy him out of his deal to sign him. Tucker has not played with the Clippers in the preseason so far this fall, and he was the team’s only player not present at their media day.
Tucker, who the Toronto Raptors first selected in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft out of Texas, returned to the NBA prior to the 2012-13 season after playing professionally overseas for five seasons. He spent time with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat before arriving in Philadelphia in 2022. Overall, Tucker has averaged 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 883 career games. He also won a championship with the Bucks in 2021.
The Clippers open their season against the Phoenix Suns on October 23.
