Eastern Conference Teams Linked to Former Sixers Starter

With the trade deadline approaching in the coming weeks, there’s been a lot of discussions and some deals getting made lately. While the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t completed a negotiation since they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers back in October, one of their traded players in the deal could be back in the Eastern Conference soon.

Since joining the Clippers, former 76ers forward PJ Tucker hasn’t seen the same playing time he received in Philadelphia while playing under Doc Rivers. As a full-time starter last season, Tucker appeared in 75 games and averaged 26 minutes on the court.

This year, Tucker started in his three outings with the Sixers, averaging 22 minutes on the floor during those matchups.

When he left for the Clippers in the blockbuster deal that involved the disgruntled guard James Harden, Tucker appeared in 12 games off the bat, averaging just under 15 minutes. By late November, he was out of the Clippers’ rotation. His last appearance on the court was a six-minute shift against the Denver Nuggets on November 27.

At this point in his career, Tucker is unlikely willing to waste away on a team’s bench. While he’s on a championship-contending Clippers team, which lines up with his timeline, Tucker doesn’t want to be nothing more than a vocal presence in the locker room for his team.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, Tucker “remains a strong trade candidate.”

Two contenders have been linked to the veteran enforcer, with one coming from the Western Conference in the Phoenix Suns. As for the Eastern Conference suitor, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly a team to watch in Tucker’s market.

While the Washington Wizards were also linked to Tucker, they are mentioned for different reasons. Sitting at 7-32 on the year, the Wizards don’t have a need for a player like Tucker. If they make a move for the veteran, that would likely lead to a buyout opportunity for Tucker. In the event he’s bought out, Tucker would then draw a bigger crowd, as teams would be free from the $11 million salary the Sixers initially inked him with.

So far, Tucker’s name hasn’t gained a ton of traction in the trade market. That could soon change as the deadline is less than a month away.