Sixers rumors: Morey targeting former players P.J. Tucker | Eric Gordon

Rumors are one of the most interesting parts of the NBA offseason and the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t excluded from this aspect. Now it’s being reported by Brian Windhorst of ESPN and Keith Pompey of The Inquirer (subscription needed) recently reported that the Sixers are interested in two NBA veterans who have ties to the 76ers front office.

Yes, both Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker are on Philly’s radar. The reason why each of these players has a connection to the Sixers’ front office is because they played for Daryl Morey now the president of basketball operations for the 76ers. Not only that, but they were both teammates of James Harden who is now Joel Embiid’s All-Star co-star.

How could Gordon and Tucker join the Sixers?

Gordon is under contract with the Houston Rockets worth about $19.6 million next season. The Sixers would have to try to trade Danny Green along with other players to be able to afford the former Sixth Man of the Year.

Last season, Gordon averaged 13.4 points on 41.2 percent shooting from deep. At 33-years-old, the veteran might not be the elite bench scorer he once was but he did, but he would go a long way in fixing the scoring issues Philly’s bench had last season.

Tucker on the other hand would be the ideal tough defender that the Sixers have been missing. Don’t be mistaken, Matisse Thybulle is an elite defender, but he doesn’t provide that level of toughness that Philly missed in the postseason last year. Tucker can provide a championship mentality that the Sixers are missing.

Last season with the Miami Heat, he averaged 7.6 points on 41.5 percent shooting. There is a risk with Tucker as he’s 37 years old, but if he doesn’t drop off, then he’d be a great fifth starter for the 76ers.

Both Tucker and Gordon would make the Sixers immensely better, but can the franchise afford to acquire both this offseason? Only time will tell, but they are two quality targets by Morey and the front office.