On January 22, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. After four days of waiting, the Clippers finally had a game. For today's Clippers, they already have the level to win the championship, the run-in between the stars is getting better, and the chemistry within the team is even more enviable. As Mann, one of the players in the team, said: "We feel like we're going to win against any team. That confidence can be found in the dressing room, in the training hall and on the field. In fact, this is the horror of the Clippers, the whole team is very confident and believes that they can achieve their goal of winning the championship.
According to the official reporter of the Clippers, the team believes that this year is the most confident year for the Clippers to win the championship since 2021. The arrival of Harden completely changed the style of the team and revitalized every player, and that's what a great point guard does. Looking at some championship-winning teams, there is a great ball handler, Curry of the Warriors, Joshua of the Nuggets, James of the Lakers, and Harden is basically this role.
If a team wants to become stronger, in addition to exploring potential internally, it also needs to be achieved through trade. Judging from the current news, veteran PJ Tucker is likely to be sent away by the Clippers. Tucker has been DNP for 24 consecutive games, and in 12 games this season, he averaged 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game, shooting just 31.6% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range. Once one of the league's top 3-and-D players, he is now also being relentlessly tortured by the years. Although Harden and Tucker have a good personal relationship, they still have to focus on the big picture, and everything must be based on whether they can help win the championship.
Tucker has two years left on his contract and a salary of $11 million this season and $11.54 million next season. For Tucker, who has a wealth of playoff experience and experience in the Finals, he still has no worries about finding a home.
According to Action Network reporter Matt Moore, Tucker's old clubs Bucks, Heat, and Suns are all interested in him. Because all three teams know that Tucker's ability to defend is unique, and even at an advanced age, 10-15 minutes can still make a big difference in the playoff arena. At the same time, there is one more team that wants to get Tucker, and they are the defending champion Nuggets. While he won't be able to play on the Clippers, that doesn't diminish Tucker's role, and these championship-seeking teams will inevitably pursue him.
However, if Tucker wants to play on a different team, he will need a nod from the Clippers. According to a reporter from the Clippers, the Clippers don't want to send Tucker to a strong team that they might face in the playoffs. In this way, the Nuggets and Suns are basically ruled out, and the Bucks and Heat may also be opponents in the Finals, or they may be excluded.
According to Action Network reporter Matt Moore, the Pelicans are thought to be willing to trade Herbert Jones due to salary space issues. The Pelicans player caught the Clippers' attention because he was a player who could defend from the No. 1 position to the No. 5 position and had a decent three-point shooting. This season, he averaged 28.8 minutes per game, 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1 block, and shot 37.8% from three-point range. Clippers' well-known self-media HoodieBev gave a trade plan: the Clippers will get Mann, Hyland, the first round in 2030, the second round in 2024 & 2030, and Herbert Jones.
At the moment, the Clippers are likely to trade Tucker and Hyland, and Mann hasn't played well this season, and when the team hopes to trade for a good player, it could also be put into the trade chips.