Rocket general manager Rafael Stone and veteran representative PJ Tucker met in person earlier in the week in Houston to discuss a contract extension, each Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Talks between the Stone and Tucker production, led by Andre Buck of Arete Sports, have continued throughout the week, Scotto reports.
Tucker is entering the final season of a four-year, $ 32-million contract he signed for Houston in July 2017. While he would like to expand to stay with the Rockets, the age is His NBA progressive is making trouble for the case, as Tucker will turn 36 when his next contract begins.
Here’s how Scotto marks the state of talks, as of Saturday:
Tucker, 35, is thought to be a locking defender who can defend all five positions and is one of the top 3-point catchers in the corner.
Multiple teams have expressed interest in trading for Tucker if available, league sources told HoopsHype.
If Tucker stays with Houston throughout the season, he is open for re – signing with the Rockets in due course.
Entering the final year of his existing contract, Tucker’s lack of expansion has been a painful topic during his talks with the media at training camp. Tucker arrived a little late, which is unusual for him, and he didn’t travel with the team on a preseason road trip to Chicago for two games.
However, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported Friday that the team and Tucker were “hopeful” a deal would be reached.
It could be seen as a reassuring sign that Tucker is open for negotiations with Houston next offseason, even if he does not get a contract extension in the meantime. But, even in that situation, there is certainly still a risk that Tucker will choose another lawyer and leave without compensation. Therefore, if expansion is not achieved, Stone and the Rockets would have to consider trading at least, if the market is strong.
A gritty and versatile 6-foot-5 forward, Tucker has shown great value for the Rockets in recent years – both on and off the court. Over three seasons in Houston, Tucker has averaged 6.8 points (36.9% on 3-pointers) and 6.0 rebounds in 32.0 minutes per game. While he’s one of the oldest players in the team, he’s also the only Rocket to play in every game in both the regular season and playoffs in those years. Since 2012-13, Tucker has played in most any player’s games in the entire league.
Tucker is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s best and strongest defenders, and is also one of the top leaders in Houston’s green room.