Heat players are reportedly lobbying free agent forward P.J. Tucker to remain with the team, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, who says All-Star wing Jimmy Butler, in particular, is “very much hoping” Tucker returns to Miami.
However, James Harden‘s decision to opt out of a $47MM+ salary for next season and likely sign a new deal starting at a lower number is the latest indication that the Sixers are a serious threat to lure Tucker to Philadelphia. Harden’s move clears a path for Philadelphia to offer its full mid-level exception to Tucker.
If Tucker does leave, the Heat will be in the market for a power forward, and T.J. Warren, Kyle Anderson, Thaddeus Young, and Nicolas Batum will be among the free agents on their radar, Jackson writes. A Wednesday report indicated the club would likely also have interest in Danilo Gallinari if he’s waived after being traded by San Antonio.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- Jackson hears from a source that Miami would be a team that appeals to Bobby Portis if he decides to leave Milwaukee. But Portis is considered likely to stick with the Bucks, while the Heat are reluctant to hard-cap themselves for the season by giving their full mid-level exception to a free agent, so it’s an unlikely match.
- Jackson also hears that Kyle Lowry wasn’t upset by Pat Riley‘s end-of-season comments about how his conditioning must improve. The Heat have assured Lowry they have no intention of trading him in a deal for Kyrie Irving, Jackson adds.
- After saying that the Heat had emerged as the frontrunners to trade for Suns forward Jae Crowder, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter links) walked back that report. As Gambadoro explains, he can’t see Phoenix taking on Duncan Robinson‘s contract, and the Heat don’t have any other obvious salary-matching pieces they’d include in an offer for Crowder.
I like the idea of the Heat acquiring Jae Crowder from the Suns, if losing PJ Tucker to the 76ers. Makes sense for the Suns, as they can simply plug Cam Johnson into the starting lineup. Crowder, on a second run with the Heat, gives them a similar 3&D profile to Tucker as a tough undersized PF.
Heat never wanted to lose Crowder, but he took less money to leave for more years, and now he might get moved anyway…it would be awesome to have him back, but I see no possible way for that to happen right now
if im pj tucker and the money is equal, im staying in miami lol. also miami could offer slightly less because there is no state tax
If I’m Miami, I try to resign Tucker AND get one out of Crowder, Gallinari or Portis. Would really solidify the front court next to Bam.
I just dont see how the Heat can get Crowder
Caleb Martin S&T, Yurt + Vincent and a couple non guaranteed contracts, etc.. There’s a few ways to get there.
Admittedly I didnt consider that, but that would also hardcap the Heat, and it’s a lot to give up for 1 year of Crowder, when there are at least some available pieces in FA they can still get
As I said previously, if PJ leaves for the full midlevel from philly vs the Heat’s offer, its b/c he wants to look like he got paid more, b/c after income taxes, the Heat offer is actually more
There are options that are few, but they are there. Caleb Martin is a big loss either way, and I think it’s a gamble to lose Oladipo for what he gives you depth wise, even though they still have Lowry. I put out those 2 scenarios for who would make sense for them in FA, depending on who they lose, and scenario 2 is unfortunately looking likely. Hopefully that means they can find contributors at a couple of those positions in summer league
I also have been thinking about the possibility of potentially using Jimmy Butler at the 4 more, and targeting more wing help. They have used him there more and more the last couple of seasons in certain lineups. That being said, I still prefer to keep PJ Tucker and get someone else as well *cough* PAUL MILLSAP *cough*, and address someone to replace Caleb Martin from that list I mentioned, or in summer league.
As for Dedmon, I like him, and hope they keep him depth wise, but I also pointed out a few options to replace him, as he cant be on the floor in certain matchups. I would like to add a floor spacing big, like a Portis, Ibaka, Jalen Smith, Bamba, but that depends who the Heat can get at the 4/pj tucker situation, and also, i would hope we see Yurtseven further show that part of his game we saw in summer league last year, which would make him difficult to take out of the rotation.
Was hoping for a 1+1 deal for Oladipo, but it sounds like that isnt happening, so maybe Marcus garrett is the play there, or 1 of the other names I previously mentioned, or maybe they dont feel the need to have the depth there…
If PJ NOT coming back to Heat, get Bomba from Magic, 3&D CENTER, move BAM TO THE 4. UNLEASH BAM, point forward, great in transition, BAMBA, BAM, JIMMY, KYLE, Tyler/ STRUS
Luke can we write “Lowry was not upset”, not “Lowry wasn’t upset”.
That would be easier to spot.
Even “Lowry warnt mad” would be better. Sell that to your boss ha. Assuming there is one.
Especially with “Lowry” in boldface, and the blurb existing in the first place because Lowry could have been upset.
Speaking of… Lowry could not have liked how his season ended and I would expect a comeback effort. He has a promising opportunity still, not like he got replaced like what was expected by some in Toronto.