PJ Tucker Signing With 76ers Viewed As ‘Done Deal’

Free agent forward P.J. Tucker has been widely expected to sign with the 76ers, and it seems as if it’s only a matter of time before everything is official.

Per, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Tucker signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the Sixers is a “done deal.”

In the process, Tucker is turning down offers to return to the Heat or Bucks, Pompey reported.

“… [L]eague sources say Tucker will choose the Sixers’ three-year, $30 million offer over opportunities to remain in Miami or go back to Milwaukee after free agency begins at 6 p.m. Thursday,” Pompey wrote. “Tucker could receive $27 million guaranteed with reachable incentives that could get him to $30 million, sources say.

“Three sources have said Tucker to the Sixers is a ‘done deal.’ A fourth source has said he would be shocked if Tucker wasn’t in a Sixers uniform next season.”

Tucker, 37, opted out of his contract after one season with the Heat to become an unrestricted free agent. Returning to Miami would serve as a “surprise” to those familiar with Tucker’s plans, Marc Stein of The Stein Line indicated.

Tucker played with current 76ers guard James Harden when the two were with the Rockets. Former Houston GM Daryl Morey is now the head of basketball operations in Philadelphia, and is also believed to be a fan of Tucker.

Morey already orchestrated one offseason trade, landing De’Anthony Melton from the Grizzlies in exchange for Danny Green and the No. 23 pick (Colorado State forward David Roddy) on draft night.

The Sixers also remain on the lookout for potential trades centered on Tobias Harris and/or Matisse Thybulle, per Stein.

Tucker is 6-5 and despite his advanced basketball age, is considered one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, a 3-and-D guy and overall winner. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds with the Heat last season, one year after winning a title with the Bucks.