PJ Tucker is among the players the Heat are considering. According to reports from Kelly Iko and Law Murray of The Athletic, the team has even engaged in trade discussions with the 39-year-old forward’s representatives.

Yet, Miami aren’t alone in their pursuit. Other NBA franchises, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks, have also reportedly expressed interest in Tucker, setting up potential competition for his services.

What is Tucker’s status?

Currently, PJ Tucker remains a player for the Los Angeles Clippers. He joined the team in November 2023, following a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, he has appeared in 28 games—starting only 7—and has averaged a modest 1.6 points per game.

Tucker did not see action at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, missing all five preseason games and sitting out the Clippers’ opener against the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday.

According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Tucker’s agent, Andre Buck, has received permission from the Clippers to explore trade opportunities with other teams, potentially facilitating a move in the near future.

A potential opportunity for the Heat

PJ Tucker has previous experience with the Miami Heat, having played for the team during the 2021-22 season. A return this season could provide head coach Erik Spoelstra with a valuable addition to the rotation. Tucker’s presence would offer depth and versatility as a replacement for forwards like Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jovic, while also competing for minutes with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Duncan Robinson.

In the West Coast, The Beard would team up with the likes of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook. Thus, it makes sense that the idea of being part of a superteam persuades him.

Harden has struggled to perform when it mattered the most in Philly so far, but his departure would still take a toll on the team’s title aspirations. Besides, he could take another player away from the Sixers to join him in LA.

Rumor: Clippers could land PJ Tucker

According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Los Angeles Clippers could trade for veteran forward PJ Tucker, who was also a teammate of James Harden at the Houston Rockets:

“PJ Tucker, Harden’s longtime teammate with the Rockets and Sixers, has come up in trade discussions between the 76ers and Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype. The Clippers covet Tucker’s ability to guard multiple positions and defend the league’s top opposing scorers. Tucker is owed $11 million this upcoming year and has a $11.54 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

It’s worth noting Harden previously took less money to give Philadelphia added financial flexibility to pry Tucker away from the Heat in free agency in July of 2022. When Harden did so, many around the league assumed Sixers executive Daryl Morey – who’s previously been Harden’s biggest advocate – would take care of his star player financially down the line, which hasn’t happened. Current negotiations have since led to a “fractured” relationship between Harden and Morey, per Shams Charania.”

Many believe Harden’s departure from Philadelphia is a matter of when, not if. Chances are that, if traded, his next team will be the Clippers. If he takes PJ Tucker with him, then we may have a strong candidate for the title in LA.

In an attempt to strengthen their roster, the 76ers signedP.J. Tucker at the beginning of free agency. The veteran forward ran out of contract with theHeat after proving to be a key contributor to Miami‘s deep run in the postseason.

Daryl Morey (and Harden) already knew him from their days together in Houston, so he trusted in what he could bring to the tablethis season. However, that in addition to the fact that the Sixers signed him at the very beginning of free agency may have raised the league’s suspicions.

Rumor: NBA to investigate Sixers’ PJ Tucker signing

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the league is expected to put Tucker’s signing for the Sixers under investigation for tampering. Teams around the league reportedly knew he was going to Philly and the announcement was made immediately after the free agency period started:

“I’m told that Philadelphia’s signing of P.J. Tucker is also likely to be placed under the investigation microscope by the league office…This Substack reported on June 26 — four days before the start of free agency — that numerous rival teams were already convinced that Tucker was Philly-bound. Tucker’s three-year, $33 million deal to join the Sixers was duly announced by his agent one minute into free agency.”

Tucker is certainly a great boostfor the Sixers’ title aspirations, but it remains to be seen whether his signing proves costly. The other team that could be investigated for tampering are the New York Knicks over the Jalen Brunson signing. We’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds.

Tucker, who has already explored free agency last year when he moved to Miami after winning the ring in Milwaukee, has been heavily linked with the Philadelphia 76ersin a reported three-year, $30 million deal.

But in order to afford that move, the Sixers would try and free up space. Matisse Thybulle has been subject of trade rumors over the last few weeks, and it seems that two teams want to acquire his services.

Rumor: Matisse Thybulle has 2 suitors amid Sixers’ interest in P.J. Tucker

After a disappointing ending to the playoffs, the Sixers head into this offseason aiming to improve their roster. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, they are willing to part ways with Thybulle in order to land a veteran star like Tucker. Fortunately, the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers could do them a favor by trading for the 25-year-old.

“In addition to James Harden sacrificing some annual dollars, it’s believed the Sixers are still exploring various trade options to free financial flexibility, as well as upgrade their roster with premium veteran talent. The two teams most often mentioned as Matisse Thybulle suitors have been Portland and Dallas,” Fischer wrote.

While Thybulle proved to be a solid option coming off the bench, his lackluster performance in the postseason let Philly down. If moving on from him is what it takes to afford an expensive but reliable veteran, the Sixers seem prepared to do so.

But this offseason, which will be crucialto keep their contending status, could bring them bad news from the very beginning. Veteran power forward P.J. Tucker turned down his $7.4 million player option last week and could walk as a free agent on Thursday.

Tucker, who was a key contributorfor Miami this season, is reportedly on the verge of joining the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-year, $30 million deal. Meanwhile, it seems thatPat Riley is alreadypreparing for his possible departure.

Rumor: Heat eye one familiar face and a free agent if PJ Tucker leaves

NBA Free Agency period begins on Thursday, June 30. That day, Tucker will be free to move elsewhere, with the Sixers apparently leading the race to land him. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Heat would already have two alternatives to Tucker in mind:

“Should the Heat lose out on Tucker, the team, according to an NBA source, is considering either a trade for former Heat power forward Jae Crowder, who is entering the final year of a contract that pays $10.2 million next season with the Phoenix Suns, or a possible free-agent move for Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren.”

Crowder spent one season inMiami, helping the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble before signing a three-year, $29 million deal with the Suns. Trading for him seems to be an option, but the report also notes that Miami could also target T.J. Warren, an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Needless to say, this will depend on what Tucker ultimately decides.