With NBA free agency set to get underway on Thursday evening, it was widely expected that PJ Tucker would be leaving the Miami Heat to join the Philadelphia 76ers. While Tucker to the Sixers seemed like a done deal that would be announced once the free agency period officially opened up, it looks as if Philly may end up facing some competition to land Tucker, after all. According to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, as many as four teams are expected to contend with the Sixers for Tucker's signature in free agency.
Multiple teams — including Atlanta, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Chicago and Philadelphia — are expected to compete for PJ Tucker in free agency. All are expected to offer the full mid-level/TPMLE exception. He is unlikely to return to Miami, per sources.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 30, 2022
Among the teams with reported interest in Tucker include the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls, per Schiffer. The value of any deal for Tucker is reportedly expected to be around the mid-level or taxpayer mid-level exception, which is worth roughly $6.5 million.
Earlier rumors suggested that Tucker and the Sixers had reached an agreement on a three-year, $30 million deal, with some sources going as far as to call it a “done deal.” That would be significantly more money than a mid-level exception, so if the reports of those figures are true, it would be shocking to see Tucker sign elsewhere. Still, if Philly is only offering Tucker an MLE deal, there's a chance he could be swayed elsewhere, especially with other teams now believed to be in the mix.
Tucker is 37 years old, and despite his age, teams clearly still feel like he can provide them with valuable minutes. With interest in the veteran forward now believed to be widespread, fans in Philly may be getting nervous that their supposed “done deal” could be getting hijacked.
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