The National Basketball Association (NBA) slapped the LA Clippers forward P.J. Tucker with a $75,000 fine. The fine came after Tucker publicly stated his desire to get traded, as he reportedly told ESPN that he was “actively looking to get traded” during the trade deadline. Tucker has been featured in only 15 games this season, none of which came after November 27. He was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the James Harden trade in November.
Things got tense between the franchise and Tucker when it was reported that the forward and Bones Hyland were sent back to LA before the Clippers clashed against the Warriors. Recently, ESPN reported that Tucker said he is “actively trying to get traded” from the Clippers. Following his statement, the NBA imposed a $75,000 fine on the forward.
Learn to fly, fly away: P. J. Tucker responds to $75,000 ban by NBA
Responding to the ban imposed by the NBA, the 38-year-old shared a cryptic story on his Instagram. On the story, Tucker uploaded a 'To-Do List' with two points, “Learn to Fly, Fly away.” Notably, the North Carolina native averages 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.4 minutes in 12 games for Los Angeles.
In his NBA career of 13 years, Tucker has played for seven different teams. Those teams include the Toronto Raptors (2006-07, 2017), Phoenix Suns (2012-17), Houston Rockets (2017-21), Milwaukee Bucks (2021), Miami Heat (2021-22), 76ers (2022-23) and Clippers.