Lakers Could Take Chance on Former NBA Champion After Trade Deadline

Los Angeles could make a move to bring on this proven pro for its home stretch.

May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) moves the ball past LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) and guard Terance Mann (14) and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the first quarter during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers could make a move to bring on a proven pro for the home stretch of its 2024-25 season run.

More Los Angeles Lakers: Paul George Offers Perfect Reaction Lakers' Failed Trade of Mark Williams

Well-traveled defense-first combo forward P.J. Tucker, who won a championship as a key role player for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, looks primed to be a premium buyout market candidate this season, after he finally managed to be traded off the L.A. Clippers earlier this month. He could be a useful asset for the Lakers, who could use a bit more defense in the frontcourt.

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading PJ Tucker, Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick and cash to the Utah Jazz for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, sources tell me and @BobbyMarks42. pic.twitter.com/YOy5kIUd6z

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2025

But that wasn't the end of Tucker's travels during trade deadline week. He was later shipped to the Miami Heat, and eventually wrapped into the club's five-team deal to offload six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors — in that deal, he landed with the Toronto Raptors.

He was first selected by Toronto out of Texas with the No. 35 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, and played 17 contests with the Raptors that season. He went abroad for the next five seasons, but re-emerged in the NBA proper as a critical role player for the Phoenix Suns in 2012-13. Tucker briefly returned to Toronto in 2016-17.

Every decade PJ Tucker finds himself on the Raptors

2006 2016 2025 https://t.co/DjaZUQZj6k pic.twitter.com/Je9nHQwn1F

— i. adan (@Imman_Adan) February 6, 2025

According to Eric Koreen of The Athletic, Tucker is not expected to suit up for the Raptors, and is seen as a likely buyout market candidate. He is currently on an expiring $11.5 million contract.

More Los Angeles Lakers: Jazz General Manager Reacts to Taking Part in Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers

He cannot sign with another team, of course, until he finally negotiates a buyout deal.

The 6-foot-5 pro is one of the league's oldest active players at age 39 (40-year-old Lakers superstar power forward LeBron James is still the oldest, as he has been for two years). Tucker is only a year-and-change younger than first-year Lakers head coach JJ Redick, also 40.

Redick has enjoyed an action-packed debut season as a head coach. The former 15-year NBA sharpshooter has been tinkering with his lineups throughout the season. Beyond his tenure at Duke, Redick recently chatted with longtime league insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson about his other coaching influences.

“In the NBA, Stan [Van Gundy] was key for me, Doc [Rivers] obviously, and Brett [Brown] was a great influence too. With each of them, I took bits and pieces for my own philosophy," Redick said. "Daily messaging, you know? But honestly, coming into this role, it’s a whole new game. You’ve gotta be yourself, but you also gotta stay open-minded. It’s been a ride, and honestly, the only thing that’s caught me off guard was the Palisades fires.”

Tucker still hasn't played a single game for any of his teams this season. The 6-foot-5 forward split his 2023-24 season between the Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers, but was a deep-bench rotation player already by that point.

Last season with L.A. and Philadelphia, Tucker averaged 1.7 points on .360/.371/1.000 shooting splits, 2.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals across just 31 bouts (10 starts).

More Los Angeles Lakers:

Lakers Buyout Target Abandons NBA for EuroLeague

Dirk Nowitzki Explains Decision to Attend Luka Doncic's Lakers Debut

Lakers Fans Call Out Darvin Ham Following Rise of Max Christie

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.