Miami Heat Add More Defensive Toughness, Sign Tucker To Two-Year Deal

The Miami Heat's defense just got tougher following reports that P.J. Tucker has agreed to a two-year deal to move to South Beach.

Fresh from winning his first NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks, the 36-year-old is expected to be anchor the defensive matrix of head coach Erik Spoelstra and infuse energy each time he is fielded in.

Tucker reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $15 million per a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Photo: Getty Images | Stacy Revere

The 6-foot-5 cager was best known for his hardworking efforts with the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2020.

But with the Rockets moving in a different direction, he was sent to the Bucks in March. That move proved beneficial to Milwaukee who won the 2021 NBA title.

Now, Tucker will try to bring his act to a team that sputtered last NBA season after a miraculous run during the 2019-20 season.

The numbers of Tucker may not show his true value, but NBA fans are aware of what the veteran forward brings.

In the 20 games he played for the Bucks, Tucker averaged just 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.9 minutes of action.

This was a big dip compared to his stint with the Rockets, but most know that he was there to provide the toughness and dirty work that Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer needed.

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors Photo: Getty Images | Adam Glanzman

The deal was overshadowed by an even bigger move by the Heat involving Kyle Lowry.

The veteran guard was acquired via a sign-and-trade agreement with the Toronto Raptors worth $90 million spanning three years, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported.

Gone from the Heat lineup are Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa.

It remains to be seen if this would be the final move for Dragic, while Achiuwa is likely to be kept in line with the Raptors infusing youth in the system of head coach Nick Nurse.

Aside from these developments, the Heat are reportedly nearing a max contract extension with Jimmy Butler.

Once made official, the All-Star swingman would get a payment totaling $182 million for five years per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Duncan Robinson was also re-signed to a five-year $90 million deal, while Dewayne Dedmon has also reportedly agreed to return on a one-year deal in another report from The Athletic.