After falling short in the 2022 playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t ready to slow down now. This summer, they will be looking to improve their squad by any means necessary.
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, one name the 76ers have their eyes on is veteran sharpshooter P.J. Tucker, who may not return to Miami.
“He [Tucker] believes that no one can beat him. And he’s tough. He’s just physical, and he’s tough…We never had P.J. Tucker. That’s really what I’m trying to say. So, I think physicality – especially once you get to the playoffs or the later rounds – you need that. You need those guys that are really tough.”
Tucker’s days of playing a huge role for teams are over. At this point in his career, he’s mostly just a 3-and-D veteran off the bench. Still, what he brings to the table could bolster Philly’s depth and add some leadership and direction to the locker room.
As for what else could be part of the plan, anybody not named James Harden and Joel Embiid is fair game for Philly.
Multiple league sources have said the team is gauging teams’ interest in Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, and Shake Milton, in addition to potential trade partners for Danny Green and the No. 23 pick.
The Sixers are trying to gauge the market to see what they can get for the players and the draft pick, one source said. This approach is part of their effort to compile information and see what deals could work when it’s time to make a trade.
The East will be a wild scene next season. Between Boston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Miami, there will be an intense battle, and the road to the Finals will not be an easy one for any of those squads.
This summer, Philadelphia will have to act smart if they want to maximize their chances to make a long postseason run.
