Los Angeles Clippers Complete Trade That Signals More Moves Are Coming

Los Angeles Clippers
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline is closing in quickly, but unlike most teams, the Los Angeles Clippers aren’t waiting until the last minute to strike a deal.

Entering play with a 28-20 record, which is good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference NBA Playoffs race, the Clippers are making moves. However, these attempts are mainly in an effort to reduce the team payroll while creating a lot more flexibility to welcome even more additions in the near future.

Related: Los Angeles Clippers Now Competing For Top Guard Trade Target

Los Angeles Clippers trade P.J. Tucker, create tons of flexibility

Los Angeles Clippers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

NBA trade rumors get tossed around every year, but most of them are simply discussions. The Los Angeles Clippers aren’t messing around in this case.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, the Clippers have traded P.J. Tucker, Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick plus cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills.

While on the surface, this deal likely won’t have a significant impact on the win column by itself, it could be a signal that more moves are coming to Los Angeles.

As ESPN’s salary cap expert Bobby Marks details, this Clippers trade gets them below the luxury tax, which not only gives them more flexibility when negotiating trades, it also makes them a prime destination on the buyout market.

The Clippers also created a $6.5 million and $2.1 million trade exception that allows them to immediately add other players via trade.

Related: Los Angeles Clippers Improve Frontcourt In New Trade Proposal