NBA Rumors: Lakers Told What They Should Trade In Exchange For In-Demand Veteran

Veteran forward PJ Tucker could be close to finally leaving the Houston Rockets.

Things have gone a bit bumpy between Tucker and the Rockets these past few weeks. The 35-year-old is believed to be yearning to part ways with the Rockets, which drew interest from an array of NBA teams in the process.

However, the number of teams likely to sign Tucker has now been trimmed down to just three--with the Los Angeles Lakers still included in the mix, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The famed NBA insider further revealed that should the Lakers or any of the teams “engaged” in Tucker’s potential trade deal decide to push through, the Rockets will demand a “young talented player” in return.

“The Rockets remain engaged with several teams — including Milwaukee [Bucks], Miami [Heat] and the [LA] Lakers — but sources say Houston’s desire for a young talented player has set a strong price in any potential deal for the 35-year-old forward,” Charania wrote.

Aside from the Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets were previously rumored to be tailing Tucker as well. However, Charania added that the Nets’ interest in the versatile forward has dwindled following the signing of another veteran Blake Griffin.

“The Nets had pursued Tucker, a deal that would have required injured starting guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s contract, but sources say Brooklyn is no longer believed to be involved in the Tucker market,” the insider added. “The Nets recently signed six-time All-Star Blake Griffin to bolster the frontcourt.”

Tucker is in the final year of his current contract with the Rockets, but the current situation points that he is likely to be traded before the NBA’s March 25 deadline.

Some report even suggests that Tucker, who doesn’t have an NBA title to his name, is longing to join a playoff-contending team.

At this point, the Lakers appear to suit Tucker’s apparent ideas, considering the Purple and Gold are still being viewed as NBA title contenders this season.

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas meanwhile, may have already hinted at the possibility that Tucker is departing the team sooner rather than later.

“He’s not with the team,” Silas said in a recent post-game conference of Tucker. “We’re going to try to figure out something that works for him and works for us as far as him not being on the team anymore.”

“I was under the assumption that he was going to play tonight and he didn’t play. That was disappointing,” he continued.” He decided that he was just not really with it, and we decided that that’s a good idea. Let’s move on."