Reasons for and against the Lakers trading Talen Horton-Tucker

By Jason Reed | Dec 6, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers loses a rebound between Anthony Davis #3 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 119-115 Clippers win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 03, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Reason against: Buying high on Talen Horton Tucker’s potential

The Los Angeles Lakers are obviously very high on Talen Horton-Tucker. The team traded into the second round without a pick that way they could trade THT and they have kept him out of deals ever since. Even when he was not contributing to the team he felt nearly untouchable.

We saw flashes of potential in THT early on with the big wakeup call being the 2020 preseason. THT was spectacular in that preseason and the rest of the basketball world finally saw what the Lakers saw.

The profile was always there. THT profiled as a long combo-guard who played good defense and his size, athleticism and skillset always seemed to translate well to the NBA. He still had to go out and prove it and he has done that.

The crazy part is that he is still only 21 years old and his first few seasons with the Lakers are essentially his college seasons. He is way ahead of the curve for a second-round pick and there is the potential that in four years he is one of the best two-way guards in the league.

It is safe to say that THT has borderline all-star potential. He is never going to be a mega superstar and he is going to have to get more consistent with his scoring to be an all-star in this league. However, at the very least, THT is going to blossom into a great two-way guard who is going to be extremely valuable to any contending team.

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