The Los Angeles Clippers might be hitting the jackpot. Or at least they intend to hit it. Some teams need a major shake-up with the trade deadline breathing on the NBA’s shoulders. Things have been topsy-turvy for the Clippers since Paul George’s exit ahead of the 2024-25 season. They’ve been solely dependent on James Harden because Kawhi Leonard wasn’t around. However, the team looks to be ready to move ahead without their veteran P.J. Tucker and Mo Bamba, as they have found the perfect trade to look into.

The Clippers are trading the 39-year-old forward, who has yet to play this season, along with center Mo Bamba and a future second-round pick to the Utah Jazz for forward Drew Eubanks and guard Patty Mills, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Clippers found a way to trade Tucker, despite uncertainty over a buyout. With an $11.5 million player option, he will hit free agency this summer. Meanwhile, Mo Bamba has been a steady reserve, contributing 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in just 12.6 minutes per game across 28 outings.

Drew Eubanks earns $5 million, while Patty Mills holds a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Jazz. Together, they total $8.3 million—an amount the Clippers are ready to match in exchange for P.J. Tucker and Mo Bamba. Swapping Tucker and Bamba for Eubanks and Mills, both bench players in Utah, doesn’t improve the Clippers that much. The trade does, however, ease their financial burden slightly.

In all honesty, Tucker’s exit seemed inevitable after a limited role last season. Traded to the Clippers in the James Harden deal, he played just 28 games, starting seven, and averaged 1.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 36.7% shooting from three in 15 minutes per game. His public trade request cost him a $75,000 fine, but he finally got his move.

However, there could be greater implications with this trade that the Clippers are undertaking. Could they be looking into bringing back their star boy? You know whom I’m talking about here. Of course, it’s Paul George, they desperately miss. Ty Lue has openly admitted the void PG left behind. So, maybe this is the chance, the franchise has been looking for.

Mo Bamba & Co. trade deal could open doors for Paul George’s return

Before we look into the possibilities of PG13’s return to the Clippers, let’s take a look at the monetary aspects of the team. The trade shifts depth pieces while giving the Clippers financial flexibility. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, it pushes them below the luxury tax and opens room for moves before the Feb. 6 deadline. The deal also creates $6.4 million and $2.1 million trade exceptions, plus $4.8 million in the first apron space and $15.6 million in the second apron space, per Spotrac.

Meanwhile, the trade moves the Clippers $4 million below the tax, giving them flexibility for the deadline and buyout market. Tucker, Bamba, and Mills are on expiring deals, while Eubanks carries a non-guaranteed $5 million salary next season. With space below the first apron, LA now has key options.

Key options. Do you mean, a possible trade talk for Paul George? Maybe or maybe not. The 34-year-old All-Star forward secured a four-year, $211 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, fully guaranteed. His average annual salary stands at $52.8 million. For 2024-25, he will earn $49,205,800, with a matching cap hit and dead cap value of $49.2 million. Now the question is can the Clippers afford and maintain the star? Or do they need more trades to bring PG back?

Surely, Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, and the future second-round picks are going to make the franchise financially flexible. However, will it be enough to bring Paul George back? That’s something, Ty Lue and the front office need to look into. Because well, who wouldn’t want the 9x All-Star back?