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Los Angeles Lakers: 2 players that already deserve more minutes

Jason Reed|
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. Lakers won 127-91.(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. Lakers won 127-91.(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Talen Horton-Tucker

  • Currently playing 12 minutes per game

Talen Horton-Tucker has been the most exciting player for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The 20-year-old played extremely well in the preseason after not getting much playing time in his rookie year, leading many NBA pundits to admire the depth of the Los Angeles Lakers.

THT’s solid play has carried over to the regular season, albeit in smaller doses as he has not been getting the same playing time. THT has been playing 12 minutes per game, which is about what I expected, but he has already proven that he may deserve more minutes.

I get that the Lakers need to ease him into a bigger role and that he is only 20 years old but he if he has already shown that he is capable then there is no harm in giving him an extra 4-6 minutes per game to get that number up to 16-18.

Horton-Tucker is averaging 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game in his limited playing time. He is shooting 45.5% from the floor and 37.5% from deep.

Again, it is very early in the season, but even the advanced numbers are on THT’s side. THT currently ranks fourth on the Los Angeles Lakers in win-shares per 48 minutes behind Alfonzo McKinnie (has played 10 minutes in total), Montrezl Harrell and Jared Dudley (has played 10 minutes in total).

The versatile 20-year-old would be just as good with a slight increase in his playing time and I think that we will start to see that gradually happening as the season goes along.

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