On March 12, Beijing time, the Rockets challenged the King away from home, P.J. Tucker did not play, after the game, it was reported that he had parted ways with the Rockets. According to relevant sources, Tucker will not play for the Rockets again this season, and the two sides have agreed to find the best way to get Tucker to leave the team as soon as possible, and the veteran Rockets career has ended early.
In fact, just after James Harden was traded out of the team in mid-January this year, Tucker has entered the countdown when he left the Rockets, after all, he is now one of the few cost-effective immediate forces in the Hugh City Army team. In the past two months, the trade rumors surrounding Tucker have never stopped, and many championship teams are hoping to get this space-type 3D that can defend, grab rebounds and shoot. Even, The Athletic's famous journalist Sam Amik revealed that 70% of the league's teams are asking for Tucker.
I have to say, this is really surprising, you know, Tucker is 35 years old, but this season has averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, why is it so sought-after? The reason is that his functional attributes are very suitable for today's small ball era. In the game, Tucker's capital is defense and rebounding, 1.96 meters tall, weighing 111 kilograms, he can defend multiple positions single-handedly, has a good sense of rebounding, and can play as a center in a specific small lineup, bringing more changes to the team's tactics. At the same time, his bottom corner three-pointers also have a certain degree of certainty, and the Rockets period has had a performance that determines the outcome of the game. In addition, Tucker is one of the most famous ironmen in active duty, playing in 267 consecutive games until February this year. I would like to ask, such a player who only earns less than $8 million in annual salary and was once a non-guaranteed contract player, what team does not dream of it?
However, it was this non-guarantee contract that became the trigger for Tucker's breakup with the Rockets. In 2017, Tucker signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Rockets, the last two of which were non-guaranteed. Tucker's performance in recent seasons has been obvious to all, but the Rockets are just reluctant to turn his non-guarantee contract into guarantee, and it was not until February 2020 that tucker officially decided to keep Tucker.
The Rockets' approach made Tucker unhappy and angry, because he has always been an important role player who has worked hard for the team. Tucker's current contract expires at the end of the season after discussing a contract extension with the Rockets, who offered to keep him on a $17 million contract, with 10 million guaranteed. Tucker and his team saw the offer as humiliating and offered a two-year full-guarantee contract worth $24 million, which the Rockets rejected.
As a result, this became the last straw that crushed the relationship between the two sides, and Tucker also participated in the warm-up before the game against the Kings on March 12, but when he learned that his asking price was rejected, he refused to play for the Rockets. So, what will the Rockets do with Tucker? Can they close a deal before the deal deadline? Or will seek a buyout. It is said that the reason why the Rockets have been slow to sell in the face of multiple price inquiries is because they are too demanding of Tucker's transaction returns, and many teams are not willing to pay too much (especially young assets), and the transaction has never been conclusive.
But now, after Harden, the Tucker storm is also settled. Where will the veteran's next stop go? Is he really enough to change the pattern of this season's title race? Let's wait and see. (Sycamore)