As trade rumors swirled around the Rockets, P.J. Tucker instead focused on a contract extension.
Well, the dust has settled in Houston. The Rockets dealt Chris Paul to build around a James Harden-Russell Westbrook backcourt.
Tucker still wants to stay.
Tucker, via Kelly Iko of The Athletic:
The most Tucker can earn in an extension is $30,985,560 over three years (or $19,891,964 over two years or $9,563,444 over one year). That’s a bargain based on how he has played lately.
Tucker’s versatile hard-nosed defense has been so important in Houston. He often holds the Rockets together on that side of the ball. Offensively, he fits well with his corner 3-point shooting.
But Tucker is also 34. Houston can’t depend on him remaining productive when on an extension that would begin at age 36.
There’s no urgency for the Rockets to extend him. He’s locked up two more seasons.
Practically, extending Tucker now would also mean guaranteeing his 2020-21 salary a year before necessary. Just $2,569,188 of his $7,969,537 salary that season is guaranteed. There’s a chance Houston might want to waive him in 2020.
Tucker is so good and so underpaid, even his largest-possible extension (which is based on his prior salary) could turn into a steal for Houston. That’s the only reason this conversation is happening. Because with most players so old and so far from free agency, an extension is a non-starter.
