The Clippers officially announced that the 4-for-2 deal was reached! Gain two new signings + save money Tucker joins the Jazz or is bought out

On February 2, Beijing time, according to Shams and Marks of the Athletic, the Clippers and Jazz reached a 4-for-2 deal. The Clippers sent Tucker, Bamba, a future second-round pick and some cash to the Jazz in exchange for Eubanks and Mills. Clippers reporter Murray followed up with a report that this second-round pick is the Clippers' 2030 second-round pick. Now that the deal has been officially announced, both teams have thanked the departing players and welcomed new signings.

The deal could save the Clippers money. They traded Tucker ($11.54 million) for Eubanks ($5 million), and the total salary would drop below the luxury tax line. Bamba ($2.1 million) and Mills ($2.1 million) are both expiring contracts with veterans' base salaries.

Before the deal, the Clippers' salary exceeded the luxury tax by about $2.47 million, and after this deal, the Clippers' salary will be about $4.07 million below the luxury tax line.

In addition to saving a lot of money this season, the trade could also provide long-term financial benefits to the team, as it is an important step away from the duplicate luxury tax, which the Clippers have been subject to for the previous four years.

In addition, the deal also gives the Clippers two trade exceptions, worth $6.54 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Tucker was sent to the Clippers in the Harden trade, and in the 2023-24 season, he played only 28 regular-season games and two playoff games for the Clippers. Tucker wasn't happy with his playing time, but wasn't traded before last year's trade deadline, and he had a $11.54 million player option that made him an unrealistic buyout target at the time.

Tucker chose to exercise this option in the 2024 offseason because he doesn't have a chance to make that much money on the free agent market. The Clippers had planned to part ways with Tucker last summer, but that didn't happen. In October 2024, he and the Clippers agreed that he would leave the team and both sides would try to find a new owner for him.

About 15 months after he joined the Clippers, Tucker was finally traded, and now it looks like he's become a prime buyout candidate. The 39-year-old hasn't played for the Clippers this season and doesn't seem likely to play for the Jazz. Tucker prefers to play for contenders who have the opportunity to contribute, unless both he and the Jazz are happy to keep him in a mentor role.

Tucker started 75 games for the 54-win 76ers in 2022-23 and 70 games for the 53-win Heat in 2021-22. If he is bought out, any team is eligible to sign him, as his pre-buyout salary was $11.54 million, which is less than the $12.8 million mid-class exception.

Eubanks, who turns 28 today, is the player with the most appearances this season in this trade, and he will help the Clippers in the frontcourt. In 37 games (four starts) played this season, he averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Eubanks signed a two-year, $9.75 million contract with the Jazz last summer. However, his $4.75 million salary next year is completely insecure, which gives the Clippers some extra flexibility.

The 36-year-old Mills has played in 17 games so far this season, averaging just 4.4 points per game. Murray reports that the Clippers plan to keep Mills on the roster for the time being. This may change, though, depending on what other operations the team may have in the trade deadline or buyout market. This is also the second time Mills has partnered with Harden, and the two were teammates with the Nets.

Bamba signed with the Clippers in the summer of 2024. He played in 28 games for the Clippers, starting two times, and averaged 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. The former lottery pick, who is still only 26 years old, is expected to replace Eubanks in the Jazz spot.