With James Harden‘s trade request still unresolved, teams are monitoring the future of his Sixers teammate P.J. Tucker. According to a report from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Tucker has come up in trade discussions between the 76ers and the Clippers, Harden’s reported preferred destination. The Clippers “covet” Tucker’s ability to guard multiple positions, according to Scotto.
Tucker, a teammate of Harden’s on the Rockets from 2017-21, joined the 76ers last summer on a three-year, $33MM deal to reunite with Harden and former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. Harden and Tucker are close, with Harden reportedly taking less money last offseason to help bring Tucker aboard one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders.
Tucker, a 12-year NBA veteran, is owed $11MM this upcoming season and has a player option worth $11.5MM for the 2024/25 season. At 38 years old, Tucker is one of the oldest active players in the NBA but he hasn’t shown any mileage yet, starting in all 75 of his appearances last season and averaging 25.6 minutes.
There’s more from Scotto:
- Free agent forward Rudy Gay, who was recently released by the Thunder, is drawing interest from several potential playoff teams, according to Scotto. The Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks, Bulls and Pelicans have all registered interest in Gay, per Scotto. Gay will be 37 by the time next season starts and while his role has diminished in each of the past three seasons, he’s still a seasoned veteran with 17 years of NBA experience. Gay averaged 5.2 points last season. Each team linked to Gay has at least one roster spot open and could offer him a one-year, veteran’s minimum which, for a player with 10+ years of experience, is worth roughly $3.2MM next season.
- Free agent guard Edmond Sumner, who was recently let go by the Nets, is also drawing attention from multiple teams, according to Scotto. The Hornets, Bucks, Raptors, Heat and Suns all have registered interest in the 27 year old. Scotto says that some of the named teams appear more likely than others to pursue a deal with Sumner. The Bucks have one roster spot open and no true point guard behind Jrue Holiday, but those around the league expect Milwaukee’s final spot to go to Thanasis Antetokounmpo, according to Scotto. The Suns also just filled their final standard roster spot with Bol Bol, so they would have to create space elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Heat are reportedly in a holding pattern amid Damian Lillard trade talks. On the other hand, the Hornets are searching for veteran point guard help and the Raptors lack point guard depth behind new addition Dennis Schröder.
- Before agreeing to a one-year deal with the Kings, center Nerlens Noel drew exploratory interest from the Lakers and Bulls, according to Scotto. The Lakers’ interest, in particular, is noteworthy due to their reported desire to add frontcourt depth to their roster. Free agent big men Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo have also recently been linked to the Lakers.
If I’m the Sixers, any trade for harden has to include PJ. His “defensive versatility” is overrated. He was pretty awful last year despite a high 3pt %. He always seemed to brick the clutch ones
Just some of my own Harden mocked deals …
1. Harden and Tobias for PG, Morris, RoCo and Mann.
2. Harden and Beverly for Holiday and Crowder
3. Harden and Tucker for GTJ, OG and Thad Young.
Further explained…
1. Harden ends up where he wants in LA with Russ and Kawhi. They have also shown interest in Tobias in the past so thrown him into the deal too. There’s many ways to look at this, one being they are throwing Morris and RoCo together for Tobias expiring deal. Another being they are giving up on PG and Kawhi and hoping Harden can offer more.
As a Sixers fan I really like PG, I like Morris returning home to Philly, I like RoCo being back and offering depth and Mann is also a good young player.
2. Unlikely deal lemme explain Holiday couldn’t stop Jimmy Butler last playoff series and was a big reason they lost. The Bucks also struggle offensively whenever Giannas isn’t on the court. Harden is a big backwards step defensively but huge step forward offensively. To have his playmaking and scoring ability would be huge. And for the drop off in defence your also getting Pat Beverly who helps add something on the perimeter. Your not going to be bad defensively when you’ve still got Kris Giannas and Lopez.
As for the Sixers, I like Jrue return backing to Philly and think he’d be a great fit next to Maxey in the backcourt. Same with Crowder and having a 3 forward rotation with PJ and Tobias.
3. Again unlikely but Toronto build it this team of Shroder Harden Scottie Pascal and Poeltl. On the bench you have Gradey McDaniels Otto Porter PJ and Boucher. Very forward heavy and probably need to send someone like Otto fora back up guard but still a very good side. Harden gives them direction on offence and obviously still a good scorer, Scottie could learn a bunch off him, Pascal is the ideal sidekick to all this. Dennis is great as a 3 and D role player and Poeltl does his thing and you have a good amount of depth.
As for the Sixers, the main reason you do this is for OG. I’d love to see a line up of Beverly Maxey OG Tobias Embiid with Melton GTJ House Thad and Harrell on the bench. Hood defensively with Pat OG and Embiid, good offensively with 4 20 points per game scorers in Maxey OG Tobias and Embiid. GTJ would give you buckets off the bench too this team would be so fun. OG is still young and would be a great with with both Maxey and Embiid, Thad Young returns cam to the Sixers and adds good depth. End of the season Tobias gets extended at a smaller rate, you keep GTJ and should still have some money left over to add another 3 and D forward possibly.
As a Bucks fan, just no.
And in defense (pun intended) of Jrue, NOBODY could stop Butler until he just..I dunno, cooled off? Ran out of gas? Whatever. He was unstoppable basically until the Finals. I’m certainly not in favor of giving up a really REALLY solid 2 way player for the King of isolation. Besides, not only do he and Giannis not like each other (as far as I know that is) I can’t see them coexisting on the court when there’s only 1 ball.