Veteran defensive end PJ Tucker is frustrated that he has not yet been changed from the Houston Rockets to a title contender, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. Tucker was a healthy scratch in Thursday’s game in Sacramento, and uncertainty about his personal situation seems to be the explanation for why.
“He’s not with the team,” head coach Stephen Silas said after Tucker’s game. “She is returning to Houston. We will try to find something that works for him and works for us, as long as he is no longer in the team. … He decided it wasn’t right with him and I decided it was a good idea. Let’s go further.”
Now 35, Tucker is in the final year of his existing contract and appears to be a strong candidate to be traded before the NBA’s March 25 deadline. Given that the Rockets (11-24) have lost 14 consecutive games, which is the longest slippage for the franchise in 20 years, there is little reason for them to take the risk of leaving without compensation in the offseason. Moreover, Tucker – who has not won an NBA title in his career – probably wants to compete in the 2021 playoffs.
Tucker is still highly regarded for his defense and leadership, but his lack of production on offense seems to limit one of the league’s most serious offenses. The 6 and 5 meter forward has an average of 4.4 points (36.6% FG, 31.4% at 3 points), 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 30.0 minutes per game, all these numbers being the worst of the four seasons in Houston. However, many around the NBA believe that its production could be revived if placed around better players and in a fighting environment.
According to ESPN, the Rockets believed they were close to signing Tucker on a two-year, $ 17 million contract extension at the start of the season with only $ 10 million guaranteed. However, Tucker’s camp allegedly countered by demanding a two-year, $ 24 million agreement, fully guaranteed. With the guarantee offered by Houston, less than half of what Tucker sought, it is understandable why the differences were not reconciled.