Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest threats to sign away P.J. Tucker in free agency
By Dalton Sell
The Miami Heat could look to pry P.J. Tucker away from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 NBA Free Agency
Among the rumored 70 percent of the league that was pursuing Tucker before last season’s trade deadline, the Miami Heat were one of the most persistent teams alongside the Bucks.
In fact, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that rival executives believed Miami was the favorite shortly before the eventual deal went down. The Bucks would swoop in and trade for the forward, leaving the Heat to pursue backup options in Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica. With those two set to hit free agency, Miami will be back in the market for a forward to help load up on defense, and their interest in Tucker suggests they will take another look at him.
Miami’s previous interest in Tucker needs little justification. The team wanted another robust defender alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to guard players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and there were few players on the market at the time. That thought still remains intact as they head into the offseason with some spending money at their will, and it seems clear they will show at least some level of interest in reigniting their pursuit.
It goes without saying that Milwaukee would certainly not like to see Tucker go to one of their biggest rivals within the conference in Miami. While the Bucks hold the upper hand in re-signing him, do not be surprised if the Heat surface in any potential rumors involving him this offseason.