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Los Angeles Lakers: The 3 most disappointing players from this season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2022 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)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2022 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Talen Horton-Tucker

Some fans may try to use hindsight and say that Talen Horton-Tucker did not have high expectations in 2021-22 and it was understood that he still needs to grow as a player. That is simply not the case, as most of the fanbase was hyping up THT before this season began.

But that is not even the main reason why THT has been so disappointing this season. When you really break it down, the Lakers have invested so much into THT and he has not even been an average NBA role player this season. That is an issue.

First, the Lakers refused to trade for Kyle Lowry last season because THT would have had to be in the deal. We will never know for certain, but there is a good chance the Lakers could have survived the Phoenix Suns with Lowry on the team last season and if he was in LA this season instead of Westbrook things would be much different.

Then, the Lakers chose to sign THT over the best rotational player that the team had, Alex Caruso. Caruso was the team’s best defender and in the 2019-20 championship season he and LeBron James — not LeBron and Anthony Davis — were the best two-man lineup in terms of net rating in the entire NBA. 

All of that commitment only for the team to try (and fail) to trade THT at the deadline this season and for him to play horribly. There are 258 players who have played 1,000 minutes this season. THT ranks 250th in Box Plus/Minus.

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