Clippers’ P.J. Tucker Sent Home From Road Trip Amid Playing-Time Frustrations, per Report
The Los Angeles Clippers sent P.J. Tucker and Bones Hyland home before the team’s Wednesday game against the Golden State Warriors as the two players deal with frustrations over playing time, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. Both players are expected back with the team after this weekend’s All-Star break.
Tucker is in his first season with the Clippers after coming as part of the James Harden deal from the Philadelphia 76ers. The veteran has only played in 12 games with Los Angeles, averaging 14.4 minutes per contest, but he has not played in a game since Nov. 27, a streak of 36 straight games without playing.
The Clippers considered trading Tucker, but the team failed to deal him before the trade deadline passed last week. While it is still possible Los Angeles buys out Tucker, Charania reports that there has been no traction largely due to Tucker’s $11.5 player option for next year.
Clippers veteran P.J. Tucker will be away from the team until after the All-Star break.
Dale Zanine/USA Today sports
“It was agreed upon that I would sit,” Tucker told The Athletic last weekend. “I didn’t just sit, it was agreed upon. Until they moved me, I would sit. They didn’t do it. But (I) try to be professional, as professional as possible. But at the same time, if I don’t advocate for myself, who is? You know? But it is what it is, man.”
The expectation is now that the two sides will return from the All-Star break optimistic that Tucker will return to the rotation.
Hyland is in his second season with Los Angeles after joining the team midway through last year, but has played in just 14 games on the season, including just seven games since Nov. 10.
