Forward P.J. Tucker and the Philadelphia 76ers are finalizing a three-year, $33.2 million fully guaranteed deal, his agent Andre Buck told The Athletic on Thursday.
Tucker started 70 games for Miami last season, averaging 7.6 points, 2.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds. The 37-year-old will join James Harden, his former Rockets teammate, in Philadelphia after Harden opted out of his previous deal with plans to re-sign with the Sixers.
The 13-year veteran will provide an instant boost to the 76ers hopes of defending the perimeter and crashing the glass to assist MVP-candidate Joel Embiid.
(Photo: David Butler II / USA Today)
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How can Tucker boost the 76ers' title hopes?
Rich Hofmann, 76ers beat writer: The Sixers are trying to win a title, and at some point in the playoffs, that means going through teams led by wing superstars. Those opponents could loom in the first, second or third round.
It could be Boston’s Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, the defending Eastern Conference champions. It could be Jimmy Butler, the leader of a Heat team that sent the Sixers packing last season. It could be Kevin Durant if he remains in the conference after requesting a trade from the Nets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t going anywhere, and he offers a challenge that requires a different type of strength and discipline. If the Sixers are fortunate enough to make it out of the Eastern Conference, their final test also will likely feature at least one of the big, playmaking, high-scoring wings that tend to shine in the postseason.
The Sixers were not equipped to deal with those players last season.
Evaluate Tucker's game
Hofmann: Since Tucker signed in Houston in 2017-18, he has thrice led the league in corner 3s attempted in a single season. He led the NBA in that category in three separate seasons.
If he performs as he did for Miami in the playoffs a season ago, it will prove to be a shrewd move. But the Sixers are giving a three-year contract to a player who will turn 37 during next season’s playoffs.
There is no getting around the uncertainty of a multi-year commitment to a late-30s player, even if Tucker is not the type to be overly reliant on his athleticism. Tucker also will help the Sixers shore up another weakness.
Last season, the Sixers were the worst offensive rebounding team in the league. Tucker’s ability to crash from the corner will help.
