In today’s Odds & Ends: P.J. Tucker news, the Cavaliers as a potential fit, and Pascal Siakam trade rumors.
Clippers To Make Additional Move?
P.J. Tucker Is reportedly upset with his role on the Clippers and according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the veteran and the team are communicating about how to make him feel more at ease, including potential options that could see him playing for his third team this season.
Tucker signed a three-year deal with the Sixers during the 2022 offseason, which was a move that fans applauded, though the 38-year-old was traded earlier this year in the James Harden deal.
PJ Tucker is frustrated with his role with the Clippers, per @ShamsCharania
“Both sides are discussing ways to resolve a role for him there or elsewhere, according to league sources.” pic.twitter.com/69cW0WN8lD
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 11, 2023
Tucker hasn’t played much lately for the Clippers, seeing no action in each of the past five contests (four wins for LAC).
It’s fair to question what kind of trade value the former Raptors/Suns/Rockets/Bucks/Heat/Sixers forward has. Should a buyout occur, teams with championship aspirations will likely be interested in his services.
Do the Cavaliers make sense as a destination post-buyout? It seems so. Cleveland adding Tucker as a backup big man would make sense given the team’s current roster strategy of employing lengthy bigs and wings (something that’s a foil to teams such as the Sixers), though from the outside looking in, it’s not clear if Tucker would be assured a consistent role.
The Clippers are 11-10 on the season and currently are listed at +1800 to win the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers are +3500 (via DraftKings). However, whether Tucker stays or goes, the move shouldn’t drastically shift oddsmakers’ views of the two teams.
Pascal Siakam Trade Rumors Heat Up
The Hawks, Kings, and Pacers are “expected suitors” for Pascal Siakam, who rival teams believe is the Raptors player most likely to be traded (Charania adds in the same article for The Athletic).
Trade rumors broke out over the weekend during the NBA’s In-Season Tournament about Indiana looking for a “big, athletic two-way wing”, with Woj stating that the Pacers “have been aggressive” in their pursuit and naming both Siakam and OG Anunoby. Each would make sense as a target if Toronto signals that the duo are available.
The Pacers are currently +10000 to win the NBA championship (DraftKings), though acquiring Siakam is the kind of move that would shift those odds.
Read More: Heat Not Interested In Zach LaVine Trade
