DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 2: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball as P.J. Tucker #17 of the Miami Heat defends in the second half at American Airlines Center on November 2, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. The Miami Heat won 125-110, NBA Free Agency: 5 teams that should pursue PJ Tucker this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Dallas Mavericks
After losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks swung a trade for Christian Wood to give Luka Doncic a new co-star. The Mavericks look like they could be a legitimate threat to take home the title next season, but making a run at a player such as PJ Tucker would bulk up their chances.
The veteran would help fortify this Dallas defense even further, giving them an ace on that side of the basketball that would take on opposing scorers to alleviate pressure off of other Mavericks.
Offensively, Tucker would thrive as a shooter due to the abundance of wide-open looks he would receive nightly. After all, Dorian Finney-Smith had the second-most “wide open” three-point attempts in the entire league last season.
Tucker would find himself in a similar position, and his defensive intensity would make the Mavericks an even more formidable threat next season on top of it.
NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Brooklyn Nets
Throughout the Steve Nash coaching era, the most prominent flaw of the Brooklyn Nets has been their defense. With players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn has plenty of talent on the offensive end, but to finally break through that wall and make a run at a championship, they must add more pieces defensively this offseason, and PJ Tucker would fit the billing.
The forward would be a much-needed spark on that side of things, and he could be the missing piece for this team after an ugly close to the 2021-22 NBA season. Tucker also has some familiarity with Brooklyn’s best player in Kevin Durant, as the two are close friends.
Perhaps joining forces with his friend Durant while competing at the forefront of a championship could be an enticing thought for Tucker as he ponders his options in free agency.
Miami Heat</a> for next season.</p>
<p>Despite recently turning 37 years old, Tucker will certainly have a robust market, as contending teams league-wide will likely have an interest in him. After all, the veteran forward is coming off one of his most productive seasons to date with the Miami Heat and he is the type of player that every single contender needs due to his intensity, reputable defense, and solid outside shooting.</p>
<p>Teams that feel like they may be a piece or two away could be willing to pay a hefty price to bring in a player like Tucker, so it will be fascinating to see how things play out when free agency begins and where the veteran ultimately inks his signature. With that being said, let us look at five teams that should make a strong run at PJ Tucker when the free agent market opens.</p>
<h2>NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Miami Heat</h2>
<p>Just because PJ Tucker declined his player option with the Miami Heat does not mean that he will ultimately not return to South Beach next season. The two parties could negotiate a new deal that would keep the veteran in Miami for the foreseeable future, which should certainly be on the table, given how well Tucker played with the Heat this past season.</p>
<p>The veteran provided some intensity on the defensive side of the basketball while shooting the lights out from three-point range, having his best season to date, many would argue. This is a team that was one game away from making the NBA Finals this past season, and losing a full-time starter like Tucker would be a crushing blow.</p>
<p>As he showed throughout the year, Tucker is one of the best role players in the business, and the Heat will have to pay him like that to keep him, in all likelihood.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #2 and Team #3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446391 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2152,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236308342.jpeg" alt="NBA Free Agency, PJ Tucker" width="3200" height="2152" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236308342.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236308342-768x516.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 2: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball as P.J. Tucker #17 of the Miami Heat defends in the second half at American Airlines Center on November 2, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. The Miami Heat won 125-110, NBA Free Agency: 5 teams that should pursue PJ Tucker this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Dallas Mavericks</h2>
<p>After losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks swung a trade for Christian Wood to give Luka Doncic a new co-star. The Mavericks look like they could be a legitimate threat to take home the title next season, but making a run at a player such as PJ Tucker would bulk up their chances.</p>
<p>The veteran would help fortify this Dallas defense even further, giving them an ace on that side of the basketball that would take on opposing scorers to alleviate pressure off of other Mavericks.</p>
<p>Offensively, Tucker would thrive as a shooter due to the abundance of wide-open looks he would receive nightly. After all, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-closest-defender-10/?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&CloseDefDistRange=6%2B%20Feet%20-%20Wide%20Open&PerMode=Totals&sort=FG3A&dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dorian Finney-Smith had the second-most “wide open” three-point attempts in the entire league last season</a>.</p>
<p>Tucker would find himself in a similar position, and his defensive intensity would make the Mavericks an even more formidable threat next season on top of it.</p>
<h2>NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Brooklyn Nets</h2>
<p>Throughout the Steve Nash coaching era, the most prominent flaw of the Brooklyn Nets has been their defense. With players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn has plenty of talent on the offensive end, but to finally break through that wall and make a run at a championship, they must add more pieces defensively this offseason, and PJ Tucker would fit the billing.</p>
<p>The forward would be a much-needed spark on that side of things, and he could be the missing piece for this team after an ugly close to the 2021-22 NBA season. Tucker also has some familiarity with Brooklyn’s best player in Kevin Durant, as the two are close friends.</p>
<p>Perhaps joining forces with his friend Durant while competing at the forefront of a championship could be an enticing thought for Tucker as he ponders his options in free agency.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #4 and Team #5 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446102 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1367061265.jpeg" alt="NBA Free Agency, PJ Tucker" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1367061265.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1367061265-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 23: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Miami Heat is defended by LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida, NBA Free Agency: 5 teams that should pursue PJ Tucker this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Los Angeles Lakers</h2>
<p>Among the significant issues for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season was their lackluster play on the defensive side of the basketball. A sizeable chunk of that could be attributed to the absence of Anthony Davis for most of the year, but it is clear that the franchise should emphasize acquiring more defensive-minded personnel this offseason regardless.</p>
<p>Adding PJ Tucker would be a perfect move in that regard, as the forward could immediately help this team get better on that end of the court while also shoring up their three-point shooting.</p>
<p>The biggest roadblock would be offering Tucker a significant amount of money in free agency, given LA’s finite financial flexibility. Yet, that should not stop them from at least inquiring about the 37-year-old, and perhaps Russell Westbrook, one of Tucker’s former teammates during their days with the Houston Rockets, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/24/los-angeles-lakers-russell-westbrook-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could recruit him to the City of Angels.</a></p>
<h2>NBA Free Agency: 5 teams for PJ Tucker this offseason: Philadelphia 76ers</h2>
<p>Right now, all signs are pointing to the Philadelphia 76ers being the favorites to get PJ Tucker this offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein <strong>(subscription required)</strong>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://marcstein.substack.com/p/my-nba-free-agency-and-trade-latest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">teams are convinced that Tucker will soon sign</a> a lucrative, three-year deal worth $30 million with the 76ers in free agency.</p>
<p>That offering could certainly see the 76ers outbid opposing teams looking to land Tucker, as that would be a hefty price to pay. However, it is a viable one by Philadelphia as it is an all-in move to help them in their quest to take home a title next season.</p>
<p>Tucker is undoubtedly a player that can help the 76ers on impact, and adding him would not only see the 37-year-old reunite with former Houston Rockets teammate James Harden, but also his former general manager in Daryl Morey, who is currently pulling the strings for Philly as their president of basketball operations. Tucker to Philadelphia makes sense for all parties involved, and it appears to be the likeliest scenario at this point in time.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 free agents with ties to James Harden for 76ers to pursue" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/08/james-harden-philadelphia-76ers-targets/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/28/nba-free-agency-pj-tucker/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/08/james-harden-philadelphia-76ers-targets/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 free agents with ties to James Harden for 76ers to pursue </a> </div>
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