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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 things to watch for in first preseason game

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

3. If Talen Horton-Tucker is ready for a role in the rotation

Talen Horton-Tucker is undoubtedly going to get a fair amount of playing time in this game. As it currently stands, THT is primed to be a backend rotation player with the potential to make an impact sooner than expected on the Lakers.

THT got a taste of playing time in the NBA bubble and we saw some really promising signs. He was good in the three scrimmages that were meant to get the teams back in shape and got some significant playing time in the final “seeding” games before the NBA Playoffs.

Heck, he even got some playing time in the NBA Playoffs in the blowout wins. It is clear that Frank Vogel and co. are high on THT (or else they would have traded him by this point) and he has a lot of future potential as a well-above-average defender because of his athleticism, range and length.

But is he ready? That is the main question that we have to answer. THT is still only 20 years old and absolutely has time on his side in terms of his progression. However, being around LeBron James and the Lakers last season could have been huge for his development and I would not be shocked if we see THT getting 15 minutes a game this season.

Next. Predicting every game of the newly-released schedule. dark

We will get our first taste of THT in this game and quite frankly, I would not be surprised if we knew after this game whether or not he will be part of the Lakers’ rotation this season.

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