Clippers forward P.J. Tucker was fined $75,000 by the NBA on Thursday for his public trade demands, citing comments the veteran made during the week of Feb. 5 expressing his desire to be sent to another team.
Tucker had made it known that he wanted to be dealt ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline to a team where he could have a chance to play. He has not appeared in a game for the Clippers since Nov. 27.
The Clippers ultimately were unable to find a deal involving the 15-year veteran, increasing Tucker’s frustration.
Tucker came to the Clippers as part of the trade with the Philadelphia 76ers that brought James Harden to L.A. Shortly after arriving, Tucker was seeing limited minutes. He averaged 25.6 minutes per games and started all 75 games last year in Philadelphia and averaged 22.0 minutes this season with the 76ers. In 12 games as a Clippers reserve, he has averaged 14.4 minutes.
“I went from 30 minutes (a game) starting to playing 10 minutes coming off the bench,” Tucker told SCNG in November. “It’s a huge adjustment for me. I probably have the most adjustment than anybody, but I’m a professional. I come in and do my job every night, do my job and leave it out there on the court in the time I get.”
He later told Clutch Sports, “I didn’t ask to be here. I didn’t ask for and I didn’t demand a trade to be here.”
Tucker and Bones Hyland, who both were subject of trade rumors, were not with the team in San Francisco for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Both are expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break.
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