P.J. Tucker can still contribute to a contender like the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers could look to add veteran forward P.J. Tucker via the buyout market to bolster their frontcourt depth, but at 38 years old, questions remain about how much of an impact he can truly have. Tucker, who was recently waived by the Toronto Raptors, has struggled with both playing time and productivity in recent seasons.

Last year, he averaged just 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game over 31 appearances. Despite those low numbers, the Lakers may see value in his defensive abilities and experience, especially with their recent resurgence on that end of the floor.

The Lakers have been the NBA’s best defensive team since January 15th, and they have taken their intensity to another level after the All-Star break. Adding Tucker would not necessarily solve their frontcourt issues, as he is undersized for a power forward and does not provide much offensive upside.

Unlike a traditional big man, he is not a lob threat and would not bring much-needed size and rim protection. But what he can offer is toughness, defensive versatility, and veteran leadership. If used in short spurts—around 10-12 minutes per game—Tucker could provide valuable relief for key players, giving them rest while maintaining defensive stability.

The biggest question mark surrounding Tucker is his declining offensive game. Once known for his ability to knock down corner threes, his shooting has fallen off significantly in recent years. If he can regain even a fraction of that form, he could give the Lakers an occasional boost from beyond the arc. But at his age, it’s unclear whether he can still be a reliable floor-spacer in high-pressure situations.

A major consideration is whether Tucker would be motivated to join the Lakers at this stage of his career. After bouncing around the league in recent seasons, he might be looking for a situation where he has a more defined role on a contending team.

For the Lakers, any move at this point is about fine-tuning their roster for the playoffs. The addition of Luka Doncic has given them a new offensive identity, but they still need to reinforce their frontcourt for a deep postseason run.

While Tucker is no longer the impactful role player he once was, his defensive mindset and willingness to battle against bigger opponents could provide value in specific matchups.

Ultimately, signing Tucker would be a low-risk move that might help in certain situations, but it is unlikely to be a game-changer. If he can contribute solid minutes and occasionally hit an open three, it would be a bonus for a Lakers team looking to make a deep run.

But given his age and decline in production, the Lakers may decide to look elsewhere for frontcourt help as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.