Scotto’s Latest: Tucker, Gay, Sumner, Noel

With James HardenThe trade request from is still unresolved, the teams are monitoring his future sixers teammate PJ Tucker. According to a report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Tucker has been raised in trade talks between the 76ers and the 76ers hair clippers, Harden’s stated preferred target. According to Scotto, the Clippers “covet” Tucker’s ability to defend multiple positions.

Tucker, a teammate of Harden with the Rockets from 2017-2021, rejoined the 76ers last summer on a three-year, $33 million deal to work again with Harden and the Rockets’ former general manager Daryl Morey. Harden and Tucker are close, with Harden reportedly taking less money last season to bring Tucker on board one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders.

Tucker, a 12-year NBA veteran, owes $11 million next season and has a $11.5 million player option for the 2024-25 season. At 38, Tucker is one of the oldest active players in the NBA, but he has no mileage yet, having started all 75 appearances last season and playing an average of 25.6 minutes.

There is more from Scotto:

• Free agent forward Rudy Gay, recently released by the Thunder, is attracting interest from several potential playoff teams, according to Scotto. The warrior, lakers, outsider, cops And pelicans have all expressed an interest in Gay, according to Scotto. Gay will be 37 at the start of next season and although his role has diminished over the past three seasons, he’s still a seasoned veteran with 17 years of NBA experience. Gay averaged 5.2 points last season. Every team linked to Gay has at least one roster spot open and could offer him a year-long veteran education, worth about $3.2 million for a player with more than 10 years of experience next season.
• Free Agent Guardian Edmond SumnerScotto, who was recently released by the Nets, is also attracting the attention of several teams, according to Scotto. The hornets, dollar, raptors, heat And to sunbathe Everyone has expressed an interest in the 27-year-old. Scotto says some of the teams mentioned are more likely to seek a deal with Sumner than others. The Bucks have a vacant roster spot and no real point guard behind them Jrue holidaybut folks in the league expect Milwaukee to take his last spot Thanasis Antetokounmpo, according to Scotto. The Suns also just filled their final spot on the standard roster Bol Bol, so they would have to make room elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Heat are reportedly on hold Damien Lillard trade talks. On the other hand, the Hornets are looking for experienced point guard support and the Raptors lack point guard depth behind the new signing Dennis Schroeder.
• Before agreeing to a one-year deal with the Kings, center Nerlen’s Noel aroused exploratory interest in the lakers And cops, according to Scotto. The Lakers’ interest is particularly notable given their reported desire to add more frontcourt depth to their roster. Great free agent men Christian Wood And Bismack Biyombo have also recently been linked to the Lakers.