Los Angeles Lakers: 3 threats that could sign away Talen Horton-Tucker

By Jason Reed | Jun 30, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Wendell Cruz-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. New York Knicks

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report reported on Tuesday that an Eastern Conference executive would “max out” Talen Horton-Tucker. It seemed to be a throwaway line in an article about the Lakers’ chances of actually landing Damian Lillard (spoiler, it won’t happen) but the internet ran with it.

Many speculated that the executive was from the New York Knicks and it makes perfect sense. The Knicks have the most cap space in the league, have built a young core that made the playoffs for the first time since Carmelo Anthony was good and still likely won’t land a superstar.

A lot can happen in the offseason but regardless of if they land a superstar or not, the Knicks can still afford to offer THT the poison-pill max offer sheet. The final years of THT’s salary would be massive but the Knicks can take on the average cap hit of the four years as the cap hit, making it fit under the salary cap.

THT fits into what the Knicks are trying to build in New York; a young core that is talented enough to get into the playoffs with a superstar that can hopefully join as the final piece of the puzzle. If THT, R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are all as good as they can be then the Knicks could be something special, assuming they get that superstar.

They have the money to do so and they are in a position to play for the future as well, making it easier for the Knicks to convince themselves to spend big for THT.

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