Morey centres Philadelphia rebuild around mini Rockets

The march of time is inevitable but some lucky folk don’t seem to get any older as the years roll by. The evergreen P.J. Tucker is one such example. At 37, he has remained a key player wherever he has travelled, contributing solid defending and the experience required to make a balanced and competitive team. He is in such demand that, despite having a contract for 7.4 million with the Miami Heat, he has decided to opt for free agency.

That’s what The Athletic’s Shams Charania is claiming on Twitter: “Miami’s PJ Tucker will opt out of his $7.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season and enter free agency, sources tell The Athletic @Stadium. Several championship contending teams are expected to compete for Tucker, who was a key part of Milwaukee’s title run in 2021.”

As expected, numerous teams are rubbing their hands together on hearing a player of his qualities could soon be on the market. Offers could reach as much as 10.4 million dollars, although it’s more likely that Tucker will accept a lower figure to have two years completely guaranteed. Two years and 18 million dollars is what he might have in mind. That would be a reasonable deal as last season, he averaged 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with the Heat, on top of his tireless defensive work, his specialist area. Tucker is a player who can make a difference and the Bucks missed him last season.

Harden-Tucker-Gordon, together again?

However a two-year deal may not be sufficient. According to the latest reports, the Philadelphia 76ers are attempting to convince him to join their project and Tucker appears to be interested. The Sixers offer could be a contract of up to three years and 22 million dollars. For a 37-year-old player like Tucker, that might be an offer too good to refuse. Journalist Keith Pompey, who specializes on the Sixers, claims that Philadelphia would be open to a three-way transfer, including Matisse Thybulle and the the number 23 election from the draft to acquire the small forward.

It is looking as though Daryl Morey want to put together a small-scale replica of his Houston Rockets. Because apart from Tucker, another player to be linked with the Sixers is Eric Gordon. If both players arrive, they will be reunited with James Harden, with whom they reached the Western Conference finals twice. There will also be players on their way out - Tobias Harris, who had a disappointing season, looks like he could be leaving. Pompey assures that Philadelphia are trying to trade him at any cost, but at the moment, there has been no interest.

Morey isn’t wasting any time. As Adrian Wojnarowski pointed out: “If you’re a GM in the NBA and Daryl Morey hasn’t called and offered you #23 and Matisse Thybulle for someone on your roster, you probably have had your phone shut off”.