Tucker was initially acquired within the deal that introduced James Harden to Los Angeles. He solely suited up for 28 video games (together with two playoff outings) with the franchise in 2023-24.
Tucker’s stint with the Clippers was attention-grabbing. In February 2024 after that commerce, Tucker was away from the staff simply earlier than the All-Star break. The ahead was sad along with his taking part in time and was not traded earlier than final 12 months’s deadline. On the time, Tucker had a participant possibility value $11.54M that made him an unrealistic buyout candidate.
He ended up opting into that contract this summer season. Los Angeles was anticipated to half methods with Tucker over the offseason, however a commerce or waiver didn’t come to fruition at the moment. Then, in October of this 12 months, Tucker and the Clippers mutually agreed that he would stay away from the staff whereas the perimeters labored towards discovering him a brand new house. After greater than a 12 months since his arrival in Los Angeles, he’s onto a brand new house.
The Clippers will dip beneath the luxurious tax by swapping Tucker ($11.54M) for Eubanks ($5M) and create a $6.54M commerce exception, cap expert Yossi Gozlan observes. Los Angeles is particularly $4.1M beneath the tax threshold, giving them extra flexibility forward of the deadline. The Clippers additionally created a $2.1M exception within the transfer, Marks notes. Each Bamba ($2.1M) and Mills ($2.1M) are on expiring contracts.
Eubanks, who turns 28 Saturday, performed essentially the most this season of any of the gamers on this deal. He’ll give the Clippers a brand new look within the frontcourt. In 37 video games (4 begins) this season, he’s averaging 5.8 factors and 4.5 rebounds per sport. He signed to the Jazz this previous summer season on a two-year deal value $9.75M. Nevertheless, the $4.75M he’s due subsequent 12 months is totally non-guaranteed, giving Los Angeles some additional flexibility.
As for Tucker, who didn’t seem in a sport this season, he’s a primary buyout candidate to observe. At 39 years outdated, it’s unlikely he’ll play main minutes for the Jazz both. It’s affordable to imagine that Tucker would favor to play for a contender with a chance to contribute, except each he and Utah are pleased with retaining him in a mentorship function.
Tucker began 75 video games for the 54-win Sixers in 2022-23 and 70 video games for the 53-win Warmth in 2021-22. Any staff is eligible to signal Tucker if he’s purchased out since his pre-waiver wage of $11.54M is decrease than the $12.8M mid-level exception.
Mills was holding the Jazz veteran slot that Tucker might doubtlessly take over. The 36-year-old cut up final season between Atlanta and Miami earlier than signing in Utah. He appeared in 17 video games, averaging 4.4 factors. Based on The Athletic’s Law Murray, the Clippers plan to maintain Mills on the roster for now. It’s doable that adjustments within the days main as much as the deadline and buyout market, nonetheless.
Bamba signed with the Clippers this summer season. He appeared in 28 video games with Los Angeles, making two begins. He recorded averages of 4.6 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. Nonetheless solely 26 years outdated, the Jazz might flip Bamba or see how he matches on their roster as somebody who’s on a comparatively comparable timeline to the remainder of the roster.
