How the Miami Heat could trade for Chris Paul and P.J. Tucker

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 06: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defended by Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the Second Round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 4, 2019 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

What it would take to trade for P.J. Tucker

While P.J. Tucker is actually exactly one day older than Chris Paul, his salary is much more palatable to accommodate. Why the Houston Rockets are even looking to move an inexpensive contract like the descending salary remaining on Tucker’s deal, worth just $16 million over the next two years, is anybody’s guess, but he could be a difference-maker for a team like the Miami Heat who are hoping to improve next season.

He’s a knock-down corner 3-point shooter and a sturdy defender, and he rebounds much better than his 6’6″ height would suggest. The Heat have a number of contracts which could work in a trade, but much like the likely Paul package, it’s hard to imagine the Rockets would be interested in dealing without getting either Winslow or Richardson back in return.

Given that P.J. Tucker has about a decade on both players, while the salary is reasonable, the swap makes things a bit more difficult to swallow.

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However, if the Heat could pull off a deal without sending either of those players (or Bam Adebayo, who should be considered virtually untouchable barring some LeBron James-esque blockbuster), it would be very much worth consideration.

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