In the NBA, the first players to get paid are always the superstars. They get the big contracts, most teams covet them, and then the rest of the roster is built around them.
But good role players are just as crucial to building a contending team. And during his 16-year career, P.J. Tucker has established himself as a premier role player in the league. A champion with the Bucks, Tucker provides shooting, defense, and leadership. He recently spoke about how he is underpaid though.
“‘Talk to James [Harden]. Talk to Tobias [Harris]. Talk to Tyrese.’ That’s part of my job,” Tucker said to Fox Sports. “Coaches always want to do that. That’s part of my job. That’s why I don’t get paid enough. People don’t understand that I’m a social worker and an NBA role player.”
Having a veteran like P.J. Tucker on the team that isn’t afraid to call out his teammates when the effort isn’t good enough is valuable to any and every organization in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to get out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in the Joel Embiid era, and if they do, Tucker’s influence will have been key to that.
Despite this, he has made more than $10 million a year only on his latest contract with the Sixers. For most of his career, Tucker has been a journeyman making lower-end money despite the value he provides. Considering everything he brings to the table, it’s natural that Tucker feels like he could be making more money.
P.J. Tucker Has The Most Zero-Point Games Of Any Starter In The NBA This Season
As important as the intangibles are, counting stats matters in today’s NBA. And P.J. Tucker had 19 zero-point games as a starter for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. These kinds of things become huge when discussing contracts, and Tucker being 38 now also makes a big difference to his potential earnings.
Despite the way his stats look, Tucker has given the Sixers the motivation and leadership they need to excel this season. He has called out everyone when necessary, from Joel Embiid to Paul Reed. The Sixers have a chance to make it to the Finals if they can win two out of the next three potential games against the Celtics, and Tucker getting another ring would be well deserved to say the least.
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