3 Clippers Playing Their Final Postseason in Los Angeles

PJ Tucker

Another veteran who is entering a pivotal postseason is PJ Tucker. The veteran defensive specialist will turn 39 during the playoffs and he has a player option worth over $11 million for next season.

Considering how little he played this season, it's difficult to imagine him opting out and receiving a longer-term, more lucrative deal. So, if he wants to keep playing for another year, he will presumably opt in to his player option. However, the Clippers don't have the luxury to pay that much to a player who has barely been in the rotation this season.

Tucker is incredibly experienced in the NBA playoffs, having won a title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. His ability to guard bigger players and switch onto multiple positions while providing much-needed grit and toughness can always be useful to the teams he is on. There is a chance the Clippers will need him in the postseason if they go up against a dominant big man.

However, at this stage of his career, Tucker is a very limited offensive player. He is reluctant to shoot threes and he has lost a step to be able to be effective around the basket. He has a comically low usage rate and is averaging 1.7 points per game. As good as he can still be on the defensive end, he is probably too big of an offensive liability to make an impact in the playoffs.

Tucker might just choose to retire at the end of the year. If he doesn't, he is a good candidate to be traded, using his salary for matching purposes in a trade.

The Clippers currently have the second-best odds (+550) in the Western Conference to make the NBA Finals. The only way they will bring this group back might be if they win the West.

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