Los Angeles Clippers power forward PJ Tucker will not be part of the team in the upcoming season. The franchise recently released a statement explaining that they are working to find the best situation for him moving forward. In response to this news, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas also shared his thoughts.
In a recent episode of Gil’s Arena Show, host Arenas mentioned that he would prefer to pay Thanasis Antetokounmpo $5 million rather than Tucker. Arenas, who recently commented on Luka Doncic’s MVP chances, expressed his belief that at least Thanasis wouldn’t disrupt the team chemistry.
“You know who you are as a player. You started all 75 games last year, you averaged 3.5. And you know you weren’t really a starter, just the situation you were in, you got to start. This year, came back, you weren’t a starter. If I’ve gotta pay somebody $5 million, Thanasis will be paid $5 million before you, P.J. I’m sorry. How he presents himself, I know he’s not gonna poison the rest of the team.” Arenas said.
PJ Tucker‘s impact on the 76ers was minimal during the 2022-23 season. He only averaged 3.5 points, 0.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 75 games. On November 1, 2023, the Clippers acquired Tucker, James Harden, and Filip Petrušev from the 76ers in exchange for several players.
What Did The Clippers Say About PJ Tucker?
Tucker’s addition did not turn out to be a beneficial decision for the Clippers. He was removed from the Clippers’ active rotation during the regular season. He only played 28 games and averaged 1.6 points, 0.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Tucker’s relationship with the franchise became strained when he publicly requested a trade during the last NBA season. Later, the NBA fined him $75,000 for his actions. On Sunday, the Clippers finally confirmed that Tucker won’t be with the team for the upcoming season through a statement.
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“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. P.J. is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career, and there’s more he wants to accomplish. We will continue working with P.J. and his representative to find the best situation for him moving forward,” Clippers’ statement about Tucker.
Tucker’s future in the NBA depends on his on-court performance. His contributions to the teams have been below average. It is crucial for him to improve his game and make meaningful contributions to determine his success in the league.
