There will be significant interest in P.J. Tucker when free agency begins later today, and the veteran forward is considered unlikely to re-sign with the Heat, according to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Schiffer mentions the Hawks, Timberwolves, Nets, Bulls and Sixers among the teams that plan to target Tucker, adding that they will offer either the non-taxpayers’ mid-level exception of $10.49MM, or in the case of the Nets and Hawks, the taxpayers’ MLE of $6.48MM. Atlanta could also make a trade to shed salary and get below the tax line, opening up the use of the full MLE.
A report earlier this week suggested that Miami is willing to give Tucker a guaranteed three-year deal, but at less than the full MLE. It appears several teams are ready to outbid the Heat for his services.
Philadelphia has been rumored as a prime suitor for Tucker, as president of basketball operations Daryl Morey also signed him in Houston. Atlanta and Brooklyn have been mentioned as well, but Minnesota and Chicago are new to the list.
The 37-year-old Tucker is an elite defender who was part of the Bucks’ title-winning roster in 2021 and helped the Heat become the No. 1 seed in the East this season. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Miami and shot 41.5% from three-point range.
LOL
I wonder what happened a year ago. When pretty much every stat cratered for pj tucker when he was with 2 teams.
Rebounding %, assists %, especially turnovers ugly. Then bounced back this past season.
But for 10mil, wouldn’t these teams rather have someone much better?
He has value of course.
He lost weight, improved conditioning. Heat culture
Intensity, lockdown defense, best 6-5 Center in the league.
IDK,
Grant Williams is making a real good run at that title.
37? Young enough to join the Lakers.
PJ Tucker is 37 years old and is no longer any type of elite defender. Why Philly is about to give this man 3 years and $30 million is stupid.
Well, if he takes the full midlevel vs the Heat offer, I hope he likes ending up with less money, if it’s really about money…
How is nobody saying this? There is no state income tax in Florida…
They still get taxed when they play on the road. So only half of the time is that a factor
They still play games in Memphis, Texas, portland, etc that also dont have income tax, but regardless, the difference in the offer is already not much, and factoring in those taxes does actually make the Heat offer larger
Oregon has a state income tax
I’m thinking of somewhere else then…I used to know all the places off the top of my head, but it’s been a while since I even thought about this. Was probably thinking of Washington, right next to Oregon lol
They get the hell taxed out of them here in MN.
I thought they was dogs.
Heat dodging a bullet and they don’t realize it lol
Is there a player in that picture? All I see are boobs in the background.
P J may just take the next season off.
He’s TUCKER-ED OUT !!