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Upcoming free agents the Los Angeles Lakers cannot afford to let walk

By Jonathan Kiernan

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 13: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a 3 point shot late in the 4th quarter against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 13: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a 3 point shot late in the 4th quarter against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

Talen Horton-Tucker

Much like Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr, Thomas Bryant, and many others, Talen Horton-Tucker is living proof that the Lakers scouting department is awesome!

Talen Horton-Tucker is the most recent in a long line of late 1st, early 2nd round picks that have gone on to play way beyond where they were drafted.

When drafted, THT was considered by many around the league to be just another Rich Paul/ LeBron James-led move.

GM LeBron.

Horton-Tucker was raw coming into the league, biding his time on the South Bay Lakers, honing his craft. For anyone who watched a South Bay game, it was clear as day that THT was a different level.

MORE: 3 Lakers with the most to prove in the final month

The ease in which he toyed with defenders, having the ball on the string, making flashy passes, and simply just outperforming seasoned veterans was a thing to behold.

During the playoffs, THT got to show off a little bit of his talent against the Houston Rockets. In the minimal playoff time he got, he had fans drooling over his potential.

This season, Talen Horton-Tucker has taken the next step in his development and has made himself a consistent and useful part of the Lakers rotation.

At 20 years old (He doesn’t turn 21 until November), THT is exceeding all expectations that were set for him. So much so that the Lakers refused to include him in trade talks when it came to landing 6-time All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry.

With his contract up at the season’s end, you can bet that the Los Angeles Lakers will do everything they can to lock THT up long term.

This will be a high priority for the Lakers organization and expect Talen Horton-Tucker to be wearing purple and gold for a very very long time.

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