NBA Rumors: Executives Expect Sixers to Land Rockets' P.J. Tucker

The 76ers are reportedly interested in P.J. Tucker.
NBA Rumors: Executives Expect Sixers to Land Rockets' P.J. Tucker
NBA Rumors: Executives Expect Sixers to Land Rockets' P.J. Tucker /

Before Daryl Morey joined the Philadelphia 76ers' front office, the Sixers were already recognized as a team that was trigger-happy on striking deals. Now that Morey, a well-known trader himself, is in Philly running the front office operation with Elton Brand, we should expect to see the Sixers make a move or several in the coming weeks.

For months, Morey and the Sixers reportedly attempted to create a superstar shakeup as the former Houston Rockets General Manager wanted James Harden to join him in the City of Brotherly Love. After several weeks of negotiating, the Sixers lost the bidding war and Harden ended up with the Brooklyn Nets.

While Morey was likely upset he didn't land his guy, he probably got over it quickly as his two stars, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, are leading a Sixers team that's currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference halfway through the season.

Just because they're first though, doesn't mean they are a finished product. The Sixers could use some changes, but minor tweaks will do. And according to Henry Abbott of TrueHoop, several rival executives around the NBA believe that the 76ers will acquire Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker sometime soon.

Per Abbott's report, the Rockets would like a second-round pick in exchange for the "disgruntled" forward. Clearly, they've had a hard time getting that offer so far. If the Sixers were to acquire Tucker, it probably won't be through a trade. After all, several reports have indicated the Rockets have been spiteful when negotiating deals with Morey due to his sudden departure from Houston months ago.

If the 76ers are to land Tucker, it would likely be through the buyout market. But first, Houston is going to weigh its options with the veteran forward.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_ & Instagram: @JGrassoNBA


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA