The snow is still on the ground but the trade market is already heating up on the first day of February. In what’s one of the more surprising moves, the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade PJ Tucker, Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick, and cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, per ESPN insiders Shams Charania and Bobby Marks.
On the surface, it’s a confusing trade. Tucker and Bamba may not be All-Stars but they’re considered win-now players due their veteran status. Then again, the same argument could be made for Eubanks and Mills.
With that being said, the Jazz likely value the second-round pick more than any other asset they received. Though they recently exchanged three first round picks for one in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is known to stockpile draft picks in hopes of making a blockbuster trade down the line.
Jazz, Clippers Complete Curious Trade
What about the players though?
Tucker, a 39-year-old with 13 years of NBA experience, has yet to play this season. The grizzled veteran hasn’t been unhealthy though. Dissatisfied with his role, or lack thereof, he stepped away from the team as the two sides worked towards a resolution. While he’s on an expiring $11.5 million contract, a buyout agreement wasn’t considered to be an option.
Now, Mills isn’t anywhere near the defender that Tucker. Yet, his intangibles are treasured in locker rooms. More to the point, he’s professional enough to accept any role.
The Los Angeles Clippers are trading PJ Tucker, Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick and cash to the Utah Jazz for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, sources tell me and @BobbyMarks42. pic.twitter.com/YOy5kIUd6z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2025
With Tucker now on a rebuilding –if not tanking –team, he might reconsider his position about a buyout. The last time that he was on a team that didn’t make a playoffs was 2016. To that point, multiple contenders would at least consider signing him as a free agent because his perimeter defense is highly regarded.
However, because he hasn’t gotten to see the floor this season, teams might wonder how much juice he has left. Thus, it might behoove him to suit up for at least a few Jazz games. Furthermore, as his issue with the Clippers was their decision not to play him, he might view his stint in Utah as a breath of fresh air. Though his doesn’t look like they’ll clinch a postseason berth, Jazz head coach Will Hardy is willing to play anyone on the roster if he believes it’ll help them win games.
With Utah in dire need of a defensive upgrade, Tucker very well could.
Battle Of The Big Men
The Eubanks-Bamba swap is likely only about the on-court benefit for both sides. Interestingly, Eubanks and Bamba have similar skillets. At the offensive end, they’re lob threats but capable of stretching the floor out to three-point range. At the defensive end, they’re at their best as shot-blockers.
Still, from the Jazz’s perspective, Bamba gives them a backup center with better length than Eubanks. Eubanks is listed at 6-foot-9 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. This limits his effectiveness as a rim-protector as players finish over him quite frequently. For comparison, Bamba is listed at 7-foot-0 and has a 7-foot-10 wingspan.
From the Clippers’ perspective, Eubanks gives them a big man who’s just a bit better at guarding out in space and finishing outside of the restricted area than Bamba. Because his offensive game is more simplified, he’s also more predictable, which can be a good thing. It doesn’t hurt that he’s more heady than Bamba either, which helps him operate dribble-handoffs.
© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
