Why the Heat, Bucks, Suns, 76ers won’t trade for PJ Tucker

Los Angeles Clippers veteran forward PJ Tucker has been in trouble recently. Tucker hasn’t played for the Clippers and wants a change of sceneryrecently, Los Angeles gave Tucker and his reps permission to explore a tradeSo that they can be allowed to move forward to a new house. However, with Tucker making $11.5 million this season, it seems unlikely for the 39-year-old veteran to facilitate a trade at the end of his career. That’s why, despite being linked to NBA contenders Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, Tucker will not be linking up with any of the above teams through a businessInstead, Tucker would have to go through other methods for any rumors to be true.

In order for Tucker to sign with a title contender with playing time available, he would have to seek a trade to a team with the cap space to take on his contract. That way, an NBA team with salary room can buy out his contract. This frees up Tucker to sign with a contender. Since his contract is less than the league’s full $12.8 million mid-tier exception for non-tax paying teams, there will be no restrictions on signing Tucker after the buyout and clearing exemptions for apron teams. It’s difficult, but there is a way for Tucker to move forward to where he wants to go.

Who can help PJ Tucker escape from the Clippers,

The Utah Jazz are an NBA team that could help facilitate a Tucker trade with the Clippers. Utah looks to start finding more playing time for its young guards, ruling out swingman Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz are also unwilling to compete and could do right by sending Clarkson to the Clippers. On paper, a trade between Los Angeles and Utah that helps Tucker find a new home could look like this:

• Clippers receive: Jordan Clarkson
• Jazz acquire: PJ Tucker, Kobe Brown, 2030 second-round pick (via Clippers)

From there, the Jazz can buy out Tucker’s contract and get a young, promising forward in Brown and a draft pick for their troubles. This wouldn’t be the first time Utah helped Los Angeles in a similar scenario by moving on from Russell Westbrook. That move helped the Clippers sign Kris Dunn. In terms of business offers, Los Angeles can’t get a better deal than this. If they can’t trade him, Los Angeles will agree to his buyout as long as he plays for another team. They will be forced to eat his salary while he is no longer on the roster, which will be a bitter pill to swallow.