Next season, it looks like <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PJ Tucker</a> will resume his jaunt through the Eastern Conference’s top teams. The veteran power forward is anticipated to join the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-in-talks-for-matisse-thybulle-with-76ers-1726-20220624-SPD-1726.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> after his two-year stints with Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.



Even while it isn’t a surprise to see Tucker join another competitor, it is startling to learn that he will be paid $30 million over three years, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. In spite of his ability to defend and shoot well from 3-point range, he will reach 40 years old in the last year of the contract.



A guy in his late 30s who plays as physically as Tucker does may be beneficial to the Sixers if he can remain healthy. However, that isn’t a given.



<h2>Sixers-Tucker: There’s a catch</h2>



However, if James Harden exercises his $47.36 million player option, the club will not have enough financial room to complete the deal to bring Tucker in. As a consequence, they’d have to make room for his wages, which would need some clearing out.



It remains to be seen after June 30, no franschise may begin contract negotiations with a free agent until after the start of the free-agency period. Any conversation prior to the event constitutes tampering.

NBA Rumors: Free-agent veteran PJ Tucker set to join 76ers - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Free-agent veteran PJ Tucker set to join 76ers

destacadas

Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer claims that the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-and-kings-among-teams-interested-in-hawks-john-collins-1716-20220623-SPD-1716.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> are in talks with the team about a <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matisse Thybulle</a> trade. In a three-team transaction including Matisse Thybulle, the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> want to obtain Houston Rockets player Eric Gordon for their franchise. 



Portland Trail Blazers are interested in signing Thybulle on a ‘straight-up contract’ Pompey said. There is some indication that the Blazers are open to trading for Thybulle in a three-team trade, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.



Alykhan Bijani, a Houston Rockets insider, has also verified that Houston and Philadelphia are interested in a trade for Gordon, with the possibility of a third team.



<h2>Could Matisse Thybulle be traded to Sixers?</h2>



The Philadelphia 76ers seem to be attempting to replicate the success of the Houston Rockets in the Eastern Conference this summer. Sixers acquired James Harden on Feb. 27 at the trade deadline. As of right now, it looks like they are looking to bring in more ex-Rockets players.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Now, the executive is pursuing former Houston power forward PJ Tucker, league sources confirm. Sources have also said the Sixers are looking to make a three-team trade that could involve Matisse Thybulle and the No. 23 pick to create space.”<cite>Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer</cite></blockquote>

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers

miniaturas

When the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-76ers-joel-embiid-perplexed-as-to-why-they-let-jimmy-butler-leave-after-defeat-to-heat-771-20220514-SPD-771.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> acquired <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden</a> in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, it made perfect sense. Not only they were landing a star partner for Joel Embiid, but they were also parting ways with Ben Simmons.



At the beginning, it looked like The Beard was proving them right. In his first games as a Sixer, he posted solid numbers and found chemistry with Embiid. But even then, people wondered for how long he’d keep that level.



One of the biggest stains in Harden’s career is his failure to produce when it matters the most. This season was not the exception, as his performance in the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs left a lot to be desired. Many people now wonder whether Harden will ever get back to his best form in Philly. According to <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> legend Tracy McGrady, he can. But he’ll have to be 100% committed for it.



<h2>Tracy McGrady explains how James Harden can find the best version of himself again</h2>



“To make basketball number one priority,” McGrady said on the Rich Eisen Show, via Fadeaway World. “Make winning number one priority. Make 76ers number one priority. You’re playing with an MVP-caliber guy in Joel Embiid – who I think has changed his mind-frame on how he’s approaching the game now, how he sees the game – and he wants to win. 



“I think if James can be that solid 20-and-10 type guy that contributes every night for the Sixers, they will be there in the conversation as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.“



Even though some people believe the Sixers should give up on him, there are signs pointing towards a short-term contract extension this offseason. Will Harden prove his doubters wrong? That’s still up to him, but he’s running out of time to do so.

What James Harden needs to do in order to succeed, per Tracy McGrady - thesportsdrops NEWS

What James Harden needs to do in order to succeed, per Tracy McGrady

At one time, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-potential-to-win-deciding-factor-in-bradley-beals-decision-on-future-1445-20220611-SPD-1445.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden</a> looked destined to opt out of his contract for the 2022-23 season and then re-sign with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-trade-rumors-bulls-turn-attention-to-matisse-thybulle-of-76ers-956-20220521-SPD-956.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> on a five-year, maximum deal. They are now likely to take a different path with regard to Harden and the Eagles.



Currently, the consensus is that Harden will pick up the player option in the 2022-23 season. Later, the Sixers will extend Harden’s deal by two or three years beyond the expiration of his current option year. A deal has been reached between the two sides. 



According to reports, Philadelphia is hesitant to sign Harden to a long-term max contract. With the 76ers, Harden hopes to stay with the team rather than become a free agent in the future. Signing even a short-term extension is the center ground between the two options.



<h2>76ers and Harden to continue together</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Two weeks from the beginning of NBA free agency on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, all signs point toward All-Star guard James Harden returning to the Philadelphia 76ers on a shorter-term contract extension, league sources told B/R.”“Harden and Sixers leadership are aligned on one clear directive, sources said: The franchise’s best opportunity to compete for a championship starring Joel Embiid, as well as Harden’s optimal opportunity to earn his first NBA ring, resides with Harden playing in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future.”“Sixers ownership, though, has been resistant to the idea of giving Harden a full four-year maximum contract extension beyond his 2022-23 option season, sources told B/R, or the five-year deal that Harden would be eligible for if he chose to decline his $47.4 million player option for next season. Signing perhaps a two-year extension after his option season to create a new three-year framework would also provide Harden with greater optionality for his own career.”<cite>Jack Fischer of Bleacher Report</cite></blockquote>

NBA News: James Harden poised to agree shorter-term contract extension with 76ers - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: James Harden poised to agree shorter-term contract extension with 76ers

The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-playoffs-format-how-does-the-nba-postseason-work-126-20220502-SPD-126.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> have been swept once and knocked out twice in the postseason series since <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/2022-nba-playoffs-jimmy-butler-still-believes-in-heat-despite-sixers-wins-591-20220509-SPD-591.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Butler</a> joined the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/not-even-lebron-james-could-do-it-jonathan-kuminga-becomes-nbas-youngest-player-ever-to-start-in-playoffs-559-20220508-SPD-559.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> three years ago.



The Heat have made it to their second Eastern Conference finals appearance in three years after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. On the other hand, the 2020 NBA Finals saw them make it to the finals.



Butler left the Sixers for greater and better things, yet the team has stayed stagnant, even after many roster changes.



<h2>Joel Embiid confused why Sixers let Jimmy Butler go</h2>



To make matters worse, Butler’s heroics in the game must have felt like icing on the cake for the Sixers. Because of his outstanding performance, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/2021-22-nba-mvp-award-nikola-jokic-edges-out-giannis-antetokounmpo-and-joel-embiid-736-20220513-SPD-736.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joel Embiid</a> expressed his regret at not having Butler as a teammate after the Heat won the series-clinching game on Thursday evening.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’m happy for him. I won’t sit here and say I didn’t wish he was my teammate. I still don’t know how we let him go. But I wish I could have gone to battle with him still. But it is what it is. Just got to keep building and keep trying to reach that goal.Obviously, that’s my guy, that’s my brother. I mean, it’s tough. But I’m so proud of him. He’s playing at an unreal level right now. He’s something else right now. And I’m proud of him for being at this level and carrying them and what he’s been able to do.”<cite>Embiid said of Butler after the game</cite></blockquote>

Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Rumors: Free-agent veteran PJ Tucker set to join 76ers

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers

What James Harden needs to do in order to succeed, per Tracy McGrady

NBA News: James Harden poised to agree shorter-term contract extension with 76ers

NBA News: 76ers' Joel Embiid perplexed as to why they let Jimmy Butler leave after defeat to Heat

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