The veteran swingman will assuredly have some suitors.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, forward P.J. Tucker will opt out of his $7.4 million player option for 2022-23. Charania tweeted “several championship contending teams are expected to compete for Tucker,” who enjoyed a stellar season with the Miami Heat.
Miami’s PJ Tucker will opt out of his $7.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season and enter free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Several championship contending teams are expected to compete for Tucker, who was a key part of Milwaukee’s title run in 2021.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2022
Tucker was an essential part of Miami’s run to the brink of the NBA Finals. Defensively, he provided versatility at the point-of-attack and significant help on drives, particularly around the nail. Offensively, he shot over 45 percent beyond the arc during the regular season and playoffs, while also adding contributions as a cutter and roll man.
Bryan Toporek of Forbes Sports and Bleacher Report noted that the Heat own non-Bird Rights on Tucker, so they can offer him a deal worth $8.4 million. As for how the Philadelphia 76ers could potentially entice him, given the presumptive appeal he has among Sixers fans and logical fit, Toporek explained their path to any chance of signing him.
If P.J. Tucker is turning down $7.4M, that means the taxpayer MLE ($6.4M) likely won’t be enough to get him.
From the Sixers’ perspective: If James Harden opts in, they’d have to salary-dump Korkmaz and take no salary back to have the NTMLE to offer Tucker.
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) June 20, 2022