Report: Multiple teams interested in PJ Tucker

Houston Rockets veteran forward P.J. Tucker wants out of H-Town and is upset that the team hasn’t found a new home for him. That was in a report last week, the reason why Tucker hasn’t been playing for the Rockets since returning from the All-Star Break. The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are in on Tucker, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday morning.

The Rockets are seeking a young asset in return for Tucker, per the report. This is the reason Tucker hasn’t been dealt yet. Teams are reluctant to give up a young player or asset in order to land a role player for a potential run at a title. The Brooklyn Nets were reportedly in on Tucker before landing Blake Griffin in the buyout market. The Nets would have had to give up G Spencer Dinwiddie to land Tucker.

The Heat, Lakers and Bucks all make sense for Tucker, who is looking to compete for a title this season. Miami seems to be positioned the best to give up a young asset in order to land Tucker, though the Bucks and Lakers have players to dangle. The Lakers could give up Talen Horton-Tucker, who has been buried on the depth chart despite showing promise during the preseason. The Heat have a few youngsters in Gabe Vincent, JZ Okpala and Precious Achiuwa. Milwaukee doesn’t have much outside of Jordan Nwora, though the Bucks could give up somebody like Pat Connaughton or even Donte DiVincenzo (probably not).