In a money-minded move engineered to clear cap space, per ESPN the Los Angeles Clippers are sending a member of the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 2021 title team to the Jazz: wing PJ Tucker, big Mo Bamba, a second-round pick and cash are all heading to Utah in exchange for center Drew Eubanks and guard Patty Mills.
A stout Bucks defender in his half-season there, Tucker had not entered a game for the Clippers in 2024-25. After arriving from Philadelphia last year, he appeared in 28 games for Los Angeles, averaging 15 minutes per contest and 1.6 PTS. He appeared in Games 5 and 6 of the Clippers’ first round loss to Dallas. Unsatisfied with his role, he and the team reportedly agreed that he would sit out until ultimately relocated.
PJ Tucker a Short-Lived But Significant Piece in Milwaukee Bucks Title Run
Bobby Marks reports that the trade gains the Clippers $4 million in wiggle room below the luxury tax, as well as a $2.5M trade exception and flexibility beneath the first apron. It is not as though they were dying to get Eubanks and Mills, but the move allows them more options moving forward–with just 5 days to make a trade. Marks states that it will also benefit them on the buyout market post-deadline.
In 2021, Tucker arrived in Milwaukee from Houston. In 20 games he averaged just 2.6 PTS and 2.8 REB but the Bucks knew what they got him for, defense, and that defense provided, down the stretch and during their title-bound playoff run. Before slowing down over the past two years, he was recognized as one of the league’s best physical wing defenders.
Milwaukee relied on him against Phoenix in the Finals, playing him 31 minutes per night in the 6-game series.
Although they employed him for his tools on the other end, Tucker could be a handy cone-in-the-corner on offense. Most of his postseason field goal attempts came beyond the arc and while he shot only 32.2% on threes in the playoffs, he knocked down 4 of 8 versus the Suns.
In the Conference Finals against Atlanta, the 6’5” bulldog was a critical rebounder, grabbing 7.2 per game in the 4-2 series win.
In his heyday, Tucker had the intangibles of a “winner.” With Miami next season, he averaged 7.6 PTS and 5.5 REB while shooting a career best 41.5% from distance. His team took Boston to 7 games in the Conference Finals, Tucker shooting 40% on threes and notching double digits in the Heat’s Game 3 and Game 6 victories.
Tucker in His Twilight
How Utah will deploy Tucker, if at all, is uncertain. Will they simply cut him? The Clippers (28-20, 6th in the West) included him in the deal simply to unload his $11.5M expiring salary. At 10-36, the tanking Jazz are probably happy to help anyone in exchange for draft capital. Last month they agreed to a three for one pick swap with Phoenix in order to obtain the Suns’ coveted 2031 first rounder.
Captained by James Harden, who accompanied Tucker in a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia, and a tentatively healthy Kawhi Leonard, LA is also getting career years from shooting guard Norm Powell (24.1 PPG) and center Ivica Zubac (15.2 PPG, 12.8 RPG).
In the crowded Western Conference, where just five games separates the 4th and 10th seeds, the Clippers sit a game up on Minnesota in 7th and a game behind those 4th-place Nuggets. They may want to fortify their roster in one way or another in order to move up a spot or avoid the play-in.
As for Milwaukee, the team has been fairly quiet in the latest trade rumors despite prior links to Khris Middleton-centered packages for Zach Lavine or Jimmy Butler. Whether this indicates satisfaction to stand pat or the lull before a storm, fans should know by around 3:00 PM EST on Thursday.
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