Tucker was originally acquired in the deal that brought James Harden to Los Angeles. He only suited up for 28 games (along with two playoff outings) with the franchise in 2023-24.
Tucker’s stint with the Clippers was interesting. In February 2024 after that trade, Tucker was away from the team just before the All-Star break. The forward was unhappy with his playing time and was not traded before last year’s deadline. At the time, Tucker had a player option worth $11.54M that made him an unrealistic buyout candidate.
He ended up opting into that contract this summer. Los Angeles was expected to part ways with Tucker over the offseason, but a trade or waiver didn’t come to fruition at that time. Then, in October of this year, Tucker and the Clippers mutually agreed that he would remain away from the team while the sides worked toward finding him a new home. After more than a year since his arrival in Los Angeles, he is onto a new home.
The Clippers will dip below the luxury tax by swapping Tucker ($11.54M) for Eubanks ($5M) and create a $6.54M trade exception, cap expert Yossi Gozlan observes. Los Angeles is specifically $4.1M below the tax threshold, giving them more flexibility ahead of the deadline. The Clippers also created a $2.1M exception in the move, Marks notes. Both Bamba ($2.1M) and Mills ($2.1M) are on expiring contracts.
Eubanks, who turns 28 Saturday, played the most this season of any of the players in this deal. He’ll give the Clippers a new look in the frontcourt. In 37 games (four starts) this season, he’s averaging 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He signed to the Jazz this past summer on a two-year deal worth $9.75M. However, the $4.75M he’s due next year is fully non-guaranteed, giving Los Angeles some extra flexibility.
As for Tucker, who didn’t appear in a game this season, he’s a prime buyout candidate to watch. At 39 years old, it’s unlikely he’ll play major minutes 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 2021-22. Any team is eligible to sign Tucker if he’s bought out since his pre-waiver salary of $11.54M is lower than the $12.8M mid-level exception.
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 appeared in 17 games, averaging 4.4 points. According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, the Clippers plan to keep Mills on the roster for now. It’s possible that changes in the days leading up to the deadline and buyout market, however.
Bamba signed with the Clippers this summer. He appeared in 28 games with Los Angeles, making two starts. He recorded averages of 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. Still only 26 years old, the Jazz could flip Bamba or see how he fits on their roster as someone who is on a relatively similar timeline to the rest of the roster.
