The Philadelphia 76ers could be shopping forward Matisse Thybulle to make room for a potential PJ Tucker signing, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Sources: Sixers pursuing P.J. Tucker; Matisse Thybulle and a pick being shopped to create cap space https://t.co/YZ8Z1Qx2rT via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 22, 2022
Tucker declined his $7.4 million player option with the Miami Heat on Monday, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Tucker has been linked to the 76ers in the past. The Bulls are also a potential suitor. A return to Miami is also on the table.
The 76ers intend to offer Tucker a three-year $30 million deal but they need to create cap space.
If the Sixers do emerge as the frontrunner for Tucker, this could signal the end of Thybulle's tenure in Philadelphia.
Thybulle has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second-Team twice in his career, including this past season. The Sixers have previously kept Thybulle out of trade talks in the past due to his defense and upside.
A disappointing end to Philadelphia's season during the 2022 NBA playoffs might have swayed the Sixers' front office in the opposite direction.
Tucker and Thybulle are similar players but Tucker is a better shooter and provides championship acumen. Thybulle also has a potentially costly contract extension coming up.
Sixers president Daryl Morey and guard James Harden also have history with Tucker dating back to their time together with the Houston Rockets. The downside with Tucker is his age. He is 37 years old compared to Thybulle only being 25 years old.
Thybulle could net Philly a nice return on the trade market. There is always a market for athletic, long-armed wing defenders in today's NBA.
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