Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesP.J. Tucker's desire to be traded proved costly for the Los Angeles Clippers forward.
The NBA announced Thursday that it fined Tucker $75,000 "for public comments reported during the week of February 5 expressing a desire to be traded to another team."
Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN reported on Feb. 6 that Tucker said he is "actively trying to get traded" from the Clippers.
Yet Los Angeles did not trade him ahead of the deadline, and he was still frustrated about the situation when he spoke with Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints
"No, not necessarily because I feel like I shouldn't have to go through this," Tucker said when discussing his status with the team. "I didn't ask to be here. I didn't ask for and I didn't demand a trade to be here."
Tucker is a member of the Clippers because the Philadelphia 76ers sent him to Los Angeles as part of the James Harden trade in October. The veteran forward was largely a tacked on piece of the trade to make the salaries work, and he is no longer a part of the Western Conference team's rotation.
He last played in a game on Nov. 27 despite being healthy.
Zach Harper and Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Clippers sent Tucker and Bones Hyland home from the team and expect to bring them back following the All-Star break.
"Amid three months of frustrations, the Clippers and Tucker have had productive discussions this week about the disgruntled forward staying ready for potentially re-entering the rotation, according to league sources," Harper and Charania wrote. "The conversations stemmed from weeks of boiling frustrations surrounding Tucker and his lack of playing time, according to those sources. It led to much-needed and strong conversations among all parties."
That means there likely won't be a buyout as the 38-year-old and Clippers move forward for the rest of the season.
At his best, he is someone who could provide physical defense, a rebounding presence and someone who can hit from three-point range. He clearly wasn't happy about his time with Los Angeles, but there is still time for things to change.
Especially if there is a deep playoff run.
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