The Jazz made their second trade of the season on Saturday, sending backup center Drew Eubanks and veteran guard Patty Mills to the Los Angeles Clippers. In return, they received wing P.J. Tucker, big man Mo Bamba, a second round pick, and cash.
Tucker, 39, had not played for the Clippers this season. He’s in the final year of a 3-year, $33 million deal, but had stayed away from the team in the midst of a dispute about his limited role on under Clippers head coach Ty Lue.
The 26-year-old Bamba, once the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, filled the backup center role for the Clippers, playing 12 minutes per night in 28 games this season. He takes roughly half of his shots from 3-point range, and is averaging one block per game in his limited minutes. He’s on a one year minimum deal for $2 million.
Eubanks, meanwhile, has played 37 games for the Jazz, playing 15 minutes a night. He’s a much more traditional center, taking shots around the rim and finishing lobs from Jazz guards. He’s averaging 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal this season, though the second year was non-guaranteed.
Mills played 17 games for the Jazz, coming off the bench in all 17. The 36-year-old Australian had shot just 34% from the field and 29% from three this season. He’s also on a one-year veteran minimum deal.
Jazz head coach Will Hardy said he’d miss the veteran leadership of Eubanks and Mills. “I think those guys are both good players, incredible professionals and better human beings,” Hardy said.
It’s unclear now what will happen with Tucker and Bamba on the Jazz — Hardy told reporters that he did not know what the future of those players on the roster was. The biggest incentive to do the trade was the second round pick the Jazz acquired, which will convey in 2030.
For the Clippers, they get under the luxury tax with the deal, saving the franchise millions of dollars in tax payments to the league.
This story will be updated.
