2:18 pm: The trade is official, according to press releases from both teams.
11:39 am: The Clippers are trading forward P.J. Tucker, center Mohamed Bamba, a future second-round pick and cash to the Jazz for big man Drew Eubanks and guard Patty Mills, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Bobby Marks (Twitter link). The second-rounder is the Clippers’ 2030 pick, per Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
It’s a cost-cutting move for the Clippers, who will dip below the luxury tax line by swapping Tucker ($11.54MM) out for Eubanks ($5MM). Both Bamba ($2.1MM) and Mills ($2.1MM) are on expiring minimum-salary contracts.
Los Angeles had been operating about $2.47MM above the tax line, but will move below it by approximately $4.07MM as a result of this deal.
Besides generating significant savings this season, the move could financially benefit the team in the long run, since it’s a first step toward resetting the repeater taxpayer clock after spending the previous four years in tax territory.
The Clippers will also create trade exceptions worth $6.54MM and $2.1MM as a result of the deal, as cap experts Yossi Gozlan and Marks note (Twitter links).
Tucker was originally acquired in the trade that brought James Harden to Los Angeles. He only appeared in 28 regular season games (along with two playoff outings) with the franchise in 2023/24.
In February 2024, Tucker spent time away from the team just before the All-Star break. The forward was unhappy with his playing time, but was not traded before last year’s deadline and had a player option worth $11.54MM that made him an unrealistic buyout candidate.
Tucker picked up that option during the 2024 offseason, since he would have had no chance to earn that sort of guaranteed money on the free agent market. Los Angeles was expected to part ways with Tucker over the summer, but a trade or waiver didn’t come to fruition at that time. In October 2024, he and the Clippers mutually agreed that he would remain away from the team while the sides worked toward finding him a new home.
Approximately 15 months after he first arrived in Los Angeles, Tucker has finally been traded and now looks like a prime buyout candidate. The 39-year-old didn’t suit up at all this year for the Clippers and seems unlikely to play for the Jazz either. It’s reasonable to assume that Tucker would prefer to play for a contender with an opportunity to contribute, unless both he and Utah are happy with keeping him in a mentorship role.
Tucker started 75 games for the 54-win Sixers in 2022/23 and 70 games for the 53-win Heat in ’21/22. Any team would be eligible to sign him if he’s bought out since his pre-waiver salary of $11.54MM is lower than the $12.8MM mid-level exception.
Eubanks, who turns 28 today, has seen the most action this season of any the four players involved in the deal. He’ll give the Clippers a new look in the frontcourt. In 37 games (four starts) this season, he has averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per night.
Eubanks signed with the Jazz this past summer on a two-year deal worth $9.75MM. However, the $4.75MM he’s due next year is fully non-guaranteed, giving Los Angeles some extra flexibility.
Mills was holding the Jazz veteran slot that Tucker could potentially take over. The 36-year-old split last season between Atlanta and Miami before signing in Utah. He has appeared in 17 games in 2024/25, averaging 4.4 points per contest. According to Murray (Twitter link), the Clippers plan to keep Mills on the roster for now. It’s possible that changes, however, depending on what additional moves the team might make at the trade deadline or on the buyout market.
Bamba signed with the Clippers during the summer of 2024. He appeared in 28 games with Los Angeles, making two starts and recording averages of 4.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.0 BPG. The former lottery pick is still just 26 years old and could get a look down the stretch from the Jazz, perhaps claiming Eubanks’ spot on the depth chart.
Solid move for the Clippers. Eubanks is a solid back up center. Utah all they get is a 2nd round pick. looks like Clippers got over on the Jazz.
A nothing trade.
Patrick Millimeter
Always liked Mills!
(as is written on NBA instagram) weird ahh trade
Clippers get below the luxury tax line. It’s pretty simple really. Considering how often you post about the NBA it’s amazing how little you seem to know about it.
Exposed fake NBA fan lmao
“Considering how often you post about the NBA it’s amazing how little you seem to know about it.” Your words, not mine. This is a diss and its a lie. I have never said anything like I am some NBA oracle, that’s all you. You lying. Because you are a lunatic who lies to create drama. Here is a mute for you. Please mute me back.
I know about on-court analysis, off-court contract stuff, especially with all the recent rule changes, is pretty confusing to many, unlike you. I am here to learn about it, no idea why you act so superior. Bully and gang up mentality dont die, huh?
Good move for Clippers without giving up any real future assets and still keeping theirs as well.
I know Bamba has not been good on offense this year, but his defense makes him the better player between he and Eubanks. But they at least get of Tucker’s contract which is a plus.
A 2nd rd pick, future cap space, two dead horses and cash. I would rather have a back up C and a veteran PG to teach the young guys. Clippers won this trade
You forget what Danny Ainge’s shiny object fascination is. Draft picks !!
Happy Birthday Mr Eubanks. Now get your stuff packed and hit the road.
Conversely, it’s probably a great birthday present to not have to play for the Jazz.
Eub and Pat make this clippers team deep. I’d like to see Pat get some of porter jr’s mins for sure. As for eub – same mins as mo bamba
I haven’t paid attention, but do you have a moment to clue me in on Porter Junior? I thought he was a pretty good player and just had off court issues, but his performance on the floor was very good.
Why do you want to take minutes away from him? Thank you in advance.
Haven’t watched a ton of clippers this year, but based on what I’ve seen as well as prev szns from him, he can be an inconsistent chucker at times.
He is a better 1on1 scorer than mills, but even at his age Mills is a better spot up threat off ball. Haven’t watched enough Jazz to know how much his D has declined tho
Finally the first trade in a long time.
I think it is a good deal for both sides, if Clippers paid the difference in salary between both players (6,5 million) or maybe even a little more (7,3 million is the max?).
And who knows the Jazz can still “flip” Tucker to another team in the next few days if it help facilitate a big deal with the new CBA. Collins plus Tucker is 38 million. Add Jordan Clarkson and you could even take on Bradley Beal. Collins+Clarkson+Eubanks was not enough salary to take on a player like Beal…
They will buy out Tucker. Tucker has 0 trade value. That is the reason for cash going to the Jazz.
Tucker and Collins can’t be aggregated in trade. Unless a player is acquired via cap space there is a period of time they can’t be aggregated in trade. It’s why Shroder can’t be aggregated by the Warriors until Feb 6th.
Forgot about the aggregation rule. Chance they still move Tucker is minimal then indeed :)
But you never know with this new CBA that they help a multi team trade for salary matching and feasibility by taking on an unwanted multi-year contract for Tucker.
Take on Beal and some picks would be for Utah. Danny has a plan.
Beal has a no trade clause. Zero chance he waives it to go to Utah.
That is way too much money to take on for picks. Suns do not have picks to trade too. Nobody wants to take on $110 million in future payroll. Beal also has a no trade clause so no way he would go to the Jazz.
Good for clips. Boring trade though
I’m glad my boy P.J. Tucker finally got traded. The Utah Jazz can buy him out. He can go to a contender and play on a playoff team.
Los Angeles Clippers won the trade because they saved plenty money!
Getting rid of Tucker for one 2nd is a win on its own. I like Eubanks but not sure how big of an upgrade he’ll be over Bamba. Guessing they’ll keep looking at other centers. Also a fan of Mills but how much does he have left in the tank? Probably gets cut to make room for Miller if nothing else changes.
This was a masterclass of a trade for the Clippers
Seriously ?
This was probably the easiest trade to forecast in the entire Nba – The GMs might have just had the accounting departments handle it