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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Talen Horton-Tucker isn’t untouchable in trades

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 13: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half 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: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half 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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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers’ title window is more important

Again, the best-case scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers is to keep THT in LA and maximize the team to contend for another championship in 2022. However, if there is an opportunity to significantly upgrade the team and upgrade the chances of winning a championship then the team must do it.

Even if that means trading away THT.

I get that THT has potential and I see that potential as well. However, I still do not think he is going to be a future star. He is going to be a really good rotation player that fits the modern NBA, but I would be legitimately shocked if he turns into someone who makes an All-Star Game.

I know that most Laker fans would disagree but let’s be honest, if the exact same player was on the Clippers instead of the Lakers you would not be as high on him.

LeBron James is not getting any younger and if there is one thing that this season proved it is that nothing is guaranteed. It would not make sense for the Lakers to not improve the team and potentially extend the title window in hopes that THT can put it all together in five years.

So why didn’t the Lakers trade for Kyle Lowry with that same logic, then? The team was only trading for half a season of Lowry. That would not have guaranteed a longer title window as he could have left after this season.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

However, if they can now flip THT for multiple seasons of Lowry, or someone similar, then the team is truly extending its window.

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