Philadelphia 76ers: The P.J. Tucker talk is getting louder

As draft night came and went for the Philadelphia 76ers, the team bolstered their bench by adding guard De’Anthony Melton from the Memphis Grizzlies. While that move was a clear positive addition, it seemed as though the Sixers would now have issues shedding cap to sign the team’s top free-agent target, P.J. Tucker.

That at least seemed the case for a time as rumors initially suggested that the team may be unable (or rather unwilling) to shed the salary necessary and would not be pursuing the two-way forward. According to NBA correspondent Mark Stein, however, rival teams not only expect the 76ers to not only pursue Tucker, but they are convinced the Sixers will sign him.

Any perceived lack of interest in Tucker now seems like a red herring; it appears that the Sixers not only plan on acquiring the talented role player but also believe they have a path to acquiring him. Considering Philadelphia needs to alleviate over $12 million from their current cap numbers, drastic changes are likely on the horizon, but both the Sixers and the league seem confident a deal will be made.

The P.J. Tucker to Philly talk is getting louder across the NBA, which is great news for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The news may not be so great for Tobias Harris, however, as he would almost certainly have to be traded from Philadelphia to free up the salary needed. After Danny Green was traded for De’Anthony Melton, the Sixers have only Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz as lower mid-level salaries to trade, and even if they moved both players without receiving salary in return, the team would come up about $3 million short.

Moving Tobias Harris in a partial salary dump is not something many may find enticing as Harris has provided a high level of leadership for the 76ers. Harris was also quite the valuable player once he found his role next to Joel Embiid and James Harden. That role may not be one that interests him going forward, however, so perhaps a parting of ways is in the best interest of both parties after all.

It will be tough to see Harris or whomever else leave for the Sixers to afford Tucker, but between his value on the court, in the locker room, and to 76ers star Joel Embiid, it will hopefully all be worth it.