5 Former Heat players who would’ve turned Miami into true title contenders this season

1. P.J. Tucker 

P.J. Tucker very quickly became a fan favorite during his lone season as a member of the Heat. This is a former player who arguably could’ve had the biggest impact out of the rest of this list had he returned. Everybody knows the story with the end of Tucker’s Heat tenure; yet another guy who chose the money over fit. Tucker jumped ship to take a bigger contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2022.

He is also another player who had interest in rejoining the Heat, but that never worked out. Tucker was a part of the James Harden/LA Clippers trade at the start of this season, but was frustrated with the lack of playing time. He asked to get traded, but that never happened.

Although he is one of the league’s oldest players, he can still make an impact. Spoelstra was able to unlock a lot out of him offensively during the 2021-2022 season and he was the team’s starting power forward en route to the Heat earning the East’s no. 1 seed.

His impact on this current Heat team would go even deeper than 3-and-D capabilities. Tucker brings boatloads of heart, passion, hustle and a veteran voice. His leadership is something the Heat are lacking following Udonis Haslem’s retirement. When given an opportunity, he will do whatever it takes to help a team beyond the box score. He is never afraid to take charges, dive for loose balls and defend the opposing team’s best perimeter player at an elite level. Players like that become huge in a playoff atmosphere.