Clippers Trade PJ Tucker, Mo Bamba to Jazz in Salary Dump Deal

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Clippers have traded forward PJ Tucker, center Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick, and cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for forward Drew Eubanks and guard Patty Mills, the teams announced Saturday. The deal marks the end of a yearlong saga involving Tucker, who had not played for the Clippers this season.

Tucker, 39, publicly requested a trade in February 2024 and had been away from the team since October, with both sides agreeing to find him a new situation. The trade allows the Clippers to shed salary, moving $4 million below the luxury tax threshold and gaining flexibility ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

Tucker, in the final season of a three-year, $33 million deal, could become a buyout candidate. The Jazz are unlikely to keep him, as he may seek a role on a championship-contending team. Tucker, a key contributor on two NBA Finals teams, including the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks championship squad, has seen limited playing time in recent seasons.

Mo Bamba, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 28 games for the Clippers this season. The 26-year-old center now joins a crowded frontcourt in Utah, where playing time may be scarce behind Walker Kessler and rookie Taylor Hendricks. Bamba, also on an expiring contract, could be another buyout candidate.

For the Clippers, the trade clears cap space and adds depth. Drew Eubanks, a 28-year-old forward, averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 37 games for the Jazz this season. Patty Mills, a 36-year-old veteran guard, brings experience and shooting, though he played sparingly in Utah, averaging 4.4 points in 17 appearances.

The Clippers’ financial maneuvering positions them to make additional moves before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, staying below the luxury tax threshold is crucial for high-spending teams like Los Angeles.

“This trade is a win from a financial standpoint,” said an NBA analyst. “The Clippers have positioned themselves to be active in the trade or buyout market, and they’ve done so without taking on long-term commitments.”

As the trade deadline approaches, both the Clippers and Jazz could make further moves. For now, the deal provides clarity for Tucker and Bamba while giving the Clippers flexibility to bolster their roster for a playoff push.