Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker publicly requested a trade and earned a hefty fine from the NBA.
“The NBA announced today that LA Clippers forward P.J. Tucker has been fined $75,000 by the NBA for public comments reported during the week of February 5 expressing a desire to be traded to another team.”
The 38-year-old player was recently sent home on a recent Clippers road trip due in part to his disgruntled state. Tucker is reportedly frustrated because he believes he is not receiving adequate playing time.
Last week he expressed his thoughts to Andscape journalist Marc J. Spears right before the league trade deadline.
Tucker landed in Los Angeles as part of a seven-player, three-team deal with the 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Halloween. He has not played for the Clippers since Nov. 27.
Tucker said he agreed to sit on the bench until he was traded—which did not take place before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
“It was agreed upon that I would sit,” Tucker told The Athletic. “I didn’t just sit, it was agreed upon. Until they moved me, I would sit. They didn’t do it. But (I) try to be professional, as professional as possible. But at the same time, if I don’t advocate for myself, who is? You know? But it is what it is, man.”
Tucker is expected to return to the team after this weekend’s All-Star break. The Clippers’ next game is Thursday, Feb. 22.
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