NBA Rumors: Rival East Team Has Interest In PJ Tucker

PJ Tucker thinks he's worth more than the mid-level exception. For that reason, he opted out of his $7.3M option with the Miami Heat, and has become a free agent. 

The 37-year-old power forward was a key cog in the Milwaukee Bucks' championship in 2021, and was just as crucial to the Miami Heat's run to the No. 1 seed in the East this season. Now comes word that at least one rival Eastern Conference team is valuing Tucker the same way, and will try to poach him from South Beach. 

The Chicago Bulls are interested in free agent PJ Tucker, per @HPbasketball.

— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) June 21, 2022

The Chicago Bulls are said to be interested in signing Tucker. As a team that got off to a rollicking start to the NBA season, the Bulls faded down the stretch as their defense cratered. 

In their first 25 games, the Bulls had a Top 6 Defense in the league. But the D dropped to a bottom-10 ranking from there on out. No doubt, the long absences of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso contributed to that, but some much-needed defensive toughness up front is a key need this offseason. 

Hard-nosed defense, and the ability to guard multiple positions is something that Tucker can undeniably bring to the Windy City. Many expect the Heat to re-up with Tucker, but if last offseason was any indication, it wouldn't be wise for anyone to count the Bulls out. 

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