Report: Clippers trading Tucker, Bamba and pick for Jazz’s Eubanks and Mills

With the Feb. 6 cutoff less than a week away, the NBA trade deadline frenzy is upon us folks.

It was a cap-relief move for the Clippers who now duck under the luxury tax by about $4 million. They can now be more active at the deadline or the buyout market. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the move also creates a $6.5 million and $2.1 million trade exception for the team.

L.A. has been one of the surprise teams of the season after what many assumed might be a rebuilding year following the departure of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard entering the year injured. Instead, they’re 28-20, sixth in the West and sport the league’s No. 2 defence at this point.

Tucker had been a healthy scratch all year as a non-factor in the Clippers rotation, and Bamba had played in just two games.

Now they add Eubanks and Mills, two vets who can contribute as depth pieces while being on expiring deals. Mills will be a free agent after 2024-25 while Eubanks is on a $5 million non-guaranteed contract next season, giving L.A. plenty of flexibility to make moves now and in the future.

Eubanks made 37 appearances for the Jazz this year, averaging 5.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 60.7 per cent from the field. Mills suited up 17 times for Utah, averaging 4.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. The Aussie now gets set to join the eighth team of his 16-year career.