Woj: PJ Tucker frustrated while deals are being explored

His desire to do the dirty work or "intangibles" waned, so please don't judge him based on recent events trade partner(s).

 

Really hoping we don't deal him to the Lakers. F*ck them to hell.

 

P.J. Tucker, Houston Rockets
Know this much about the uncomfortable situation between P.J. and the Rockets: He saw this coming years ago. All the stiff-arms they gave him on extension talks, and all those times when he bit his tongue about how he was one of the game’s most underpaid players, and he knew there was a decent chance he’d never get his just due. Sure enough, that’s exactly what has happened.

Tucker, who is earning $7.9 million this season on his deal that has long been among the league’s most team-friendly, is no longer actually playing for the Rockets and is expected to be traded somewhere before the deadline. Our Shams Charania has listed Milwaukee, Miami and the Lakers as legitimate suitors, but one source with knowledge of the Rockets’ talks said “70 percent of the league” has been calling about him. Denver and Brooklyn, which have been tied to him previously, are not expected to still be in pursuit.

If you’re Tucker, it’s the widespread interest that — for lack of a better way of putting it — probably bothers you the most. Nearly the entire league is showing that you’re valued, but the team that you helped nearly upend the dynasty Golden State Warriors never made good with any sort of market-appropriate reward. As Tucker and I discussed at length in February 2020, it was his ability to defend all five positions while burying open 3s that was such a crucial X-factor in Houston’s choice to go all-in on small-ball last season.

To be fair to first-year general manager Rafael Stone, these were choices made by his predecessor (Morey) and owner Tilman Fertitta (Stone worked under Morey at the time). Rival executives say the Rockets are seeking a young impact player and a first-round pick in return. They’re shooting for the moon, in other words, and will likely have to come back down to earth with the asking price before a deal goes down here.

 

Tucker: The Rockets remain engaged with several teams — including Milwaukee, Miami and the Lakers — but sources say Houston’s desire for a young talented player has set a strong price in any potential deal for the 35-year-old forward. The Nets had pursued Tucker, a deal that would have required injured starting guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s contract, but sources say Brooklyn is no longer believed to be involved in the Tucker market. The Nets recently signed six-time All-Star Blake Griffin to bolster the front court.

 

P.J. Tucker: Fans’ interest in Tucker for their own team is inversely correlated with how much they’ve seen him play this year. While Tucker is a tough hombre who can line up as a small-ball five, his play has fallen off at age 35. His offensive game is basically nonexistent at this point (he’s averaging a meager 6.9 points per 100 possessions), and a rebound rate of just 8.1 percent makes it harder to play him at the five.

Nonetheless, playing with an on-ball wizard who can set up more 3s for him might help perk up his offense, and playing in a switchable scheme increases his value too, so you could certainly see why Brooklyn might have interest. At $8.5 million, it’s easier to get to a salary match with Tucker than some other players on this list.

 

Love you Tucker, but it's a stars league, not a role players league. I hope you get traded to a contender where you belong.

 

Journeymen 3-D guy signs w only team giving him long term security and market value pay, is now mad at said team bc he outperformed deal. I don't feel bad for him, Rockets made a shrewd deal back then, props to them. They should look for best deal for them.

 

Be realistic if you were a gm what would you give up for pj tucker?

Stop hardballing and just let him go already. Hes given us more than he had any right to on that contract

 

I think it depends. If multiple teams are after PJ and if multiple contenders believe he can help them out, then there is good reason why it's best to wait for the best package. Either way, what's the hurry if the package you are getting now is not all that great. Obviously, that deal will likely be there, so if it comes trading deadline that this is the best deal you have, then so be it.

Don't understand the impatience with some of you guys.

 

Who was offering him more? Sac/Tor were the only major players and he got the largest contract of his career to that point and was already 32.

 

If the deal is not all that great, does it matter? I mean, if the Lakers/Sixers/whoever else are all offering one 2nd round pick, I think you wait. Now if Lakers are offering THT or the Sixers are offering someone like Thybulle, then yeah, I agree with you guys.

 

Toronto offered him more money. It may have been a wash based on the "no state income tax" situation here in Texas (I guess calculated for all the home games).

 

personally I just dont think theyll get much either way but you cant be too sure these trades are going to stick around. If they trade their package for someone else what are you going to do? Settle or buy him out?

 

No it doesn't man.

It's not wishful thinking. This team will suck even after we trade PJ, so once again, if you don't have a great deal, then what is the hurry? My guess is that some team will end up trading for PJ.

I know what you are arguing, that we can lose even a shitty 2nd round pick and get nothing if a PJ suitor ends up with another player they want. I get it. At that shitty price, I say, what's the ****ing hurry.

 

That's just it, we don't have a great deal sitting there, we have some crappy deal that Stone likely figured out will still be there at the trading deadline. Otherwise, the deal would be done by now. That's not a big gamble. Whether PJ sits or we trade someone for PJ, the Rockets are still going to suck. I don't see the point of hurrying up.

Agree to disagree situation.