NBA Rumours: Veteran Forward Could Be On His Way Out Of Houston Rockets Soon

James Harden might not be the only longtime Rocket to force his way out of Houston this season.

On Thursday, the Rockets returned to action following the All-Star break and faced the Sacramento Kings.

While a number of the Rockets players--John Wall, Christian Wood--were out due to injuries, one notable scratch from the starting lineup was forward P.J. Tucker.

As it turns out, Tucker was not with the team at all and will no longer be with the team moving forward amid increasing frustration with his future with the franchise.

“PJ’s not with the team...we’re gonna try to figure out something that works for him and works for us,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said following the 125-105 loss to the Kings.

The Rockets are currently on a 14-game losing streak and are sitting at the 14th spot in the Western Conference.

This is just the latest blow in what can only be described as a tumultuous year for the Rockets, who have not missed the playoffs since they acquired Harden back in 2012.

In January, Harden was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets after expressing his desire to leave Houston at the start of the season.

Tucker, meanwhile, had already expressed his frustration with the Rockets regarding his contract situation. The defensive stalwart had hoped to be given a raise and an extension but did not receive any until January of 2021. He ended up not signing the extension.

Fittingly enough, Harden and the Nets have emerged as viable suitors for Tucker, along with the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Tucker came to the Rockets in the 2016-2017 NBA season and was part of the Chris Paul and James Harden-led Rockets that came within a win away from taking down the super-team Golden State Warriors in the playoffs.

Since then, Tucker has been an integral part of the Rockets’ defensive schemes.

Throughout his 11-year NBA career, Tucker has averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.