Heat forward P.J. Tucker will decline his $7.35MM option for next season, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Tucker will be an unrestricted free agent and several contending teams are expected to compete for his services.
It’s still possible Miami could re-sign him on a longer deal and/or more money. Miami president Pat Riley declared in his postseason press conference that bringing back the defensive ace was a high priority.
“P.J. is a cornerstone,” Riley said. “I would love to have Tuck back next year. He’s part of our core. He’s special.”
Non-taxpayer teams could pursue Tucker using their mid-level exception, worth a projected $10.349MM in the first year.
Miami holds Tucker’s Non-Bird rights and could offer him up to four years on a salary starting at 120% of his previous cap hit ($7MM this past season).
Tucker had been planning to opt out in search of a raise, but Miami is optimistic about retaining his services, Hoops Rumors’ JD Shaw tweets.
Tucker averaged 7.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 2.1 APG while making 41.7% of his 3-point attempts with Miami this past season while starting in 70 of 71 regular season games. He averaged 7.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 1.8 APG in 18 playoff games.
Tucker won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, starting 19 of Milwaukee’s 23 postseason games during its run.
Sixers
Na, PJ tryna win chips, not get bounced in the 2nd round with a cry baby superstar
Sizers? Why lose? He bout to chase that ring on GSW
Cant see it with Harris still on the roster.
Heat
Pistons!!!! Lol!! Just kidding.
Sixers, full MLE, incoming!
Sixers? Really?
I don’t think he will go to this franchise, they are not good enough, not as a team and not as an organization. It will be a big surprise if they’ll win a chip anytime in the next 4 years.
Tucker is tight with both jojo and the BEARD. Huge fan of doc rivers my friend. Nice fit for top 3 team in east.
Not as surprising as BOS winning one if you ask me, right?
Heat team salary
10 players $133m
76ers team salary
11 players $143m excluding Danny Green
Heat have better salary management
he’ll resign with miami 2 for 21
I’ve said from the beginning that he is a priority for the Heat, but admitted I was a little worried about what the situation might be for keeping him b/c under normal circumstances, he might be worth double what he was previously owed, and he already spoke about the idea of not being labeled as a “mid-level guy,” which makes it seem like he wouldnt accept that amount…
That is a position where the Heat need to retain him, and get someone else in addition to him
I think it also all but guarantees that despite Caleb Martin wanting to stay, its unlikely they can keep him, so that is something else they’ll have to address
No one will offer more than 2 years $21.2 million to Tucker because of salary cap rules
I head that Kings are interested in any Warriors – GM, coach, players and any staff
Why not?—- a $23m 1+1 bid would outbid any team using the MLE to afford him.
He too old to start have him off the bench he goes cold with his 3s and every coach think he can guard players faster n taller than him becuz of how houston had him at center no he can’t heat need to get grant or collins to start by bam by trading duncan and i would trade Kyle next year if they can’t this year
No surprise. Doesn’t mean he’s leaving MIA, but there is a limit on what they can offer in terms of AAV. Is there another contender that would be willing to offer him the same years but at 15 mm AAV-? If so, he’s likely to take it.
Pat Riley: ‘go get an offer and we’ll match it.’
Tucker: ‘y’all so disrespectful, I’m a dog, and I thought we was dogs. I’ll never forget how much this hurts. Not even sure I can even play ball no more.’
Also Tucker: signs with another team 6 minutes later with a huge smile on his face talking about how he always wanted to play/reunite with [insert 1 of his dog’s here] and he’s never been happier.
Nice projection…
Warriors
Golden State will replace Bjelica with Tucker.
The Warriors can only offer Tucker the veteran minimum. He is not going to sign for that after declining a $7.35 million option with a contending team like Miami.
Tucker is important but I could easily see Miami swinging a deal for Jerami Grant instead. Especially if the bidding for Tucker gets crazy… Would be a huge loss defensively but Miami desperately needs a good big man scoring option too.
So in that scenario, you lose Duncan, pj+ for Grant…how does that make sense? As much as I’ve been a fan of Grant for a long time as a 4/5, that would mean they still need to add another option at the 4, and they would have to figure out something on the wing to replace losing Robinson’s shooting and Caleb Martin’s playmaking/shooting/defense…
Seems like going backwards significantly
As a Sixers fan I’d love it. Wherever he goes they play well and win a lot of games.
Although with Harris on the books I can’t see it happening. I’ve seen they are in trade talks shopping him, Thybulle, Korkmaz, Milton and this years pick but unless somethings close to done I can’t see it happening unfortunately.
That said what I would be pushing for if I’m the Sixers is this.
Sixers: Harrison Barnes and Eric Gordon
Kings: Tobias Harris and this years 1st round pick
Rockets : Richaun Holmes and Mattise Thybulle
Sixers then go get PJ.
1. Maxey
2. Harden. Gordon
3. Barnes. Korkmaz
4. Tucker. Niang
5. Embiid
Then fill out with young guys (Springer, Joe, Reed, Bassey) and veteran minimum free agents.
Kings get a third piece and upgrade to the roster. Probably the me of the only dumb enough teams to make this deal.
Rockets don’t get a first for Gordon but get a back up centre which they are after and get young Mattise Thybulle who acts as the value of a first round pick.
Honestly I think that team could be good enough for us to win a championship with the right additions to the bench and some luck with injuries and things
Tucker is a pesky 3 and D but wins do not follow him, he follows the wins.
I like both these ideas… Possibly illegal in Pennsylvania and Florida. :/