The Los Angeles Lakers are once again on the prowl to add some talent to their roster and get rid of players they have no use for. With Anthony Davis likely staying in Los Angeles and the Lakers hoping he can remain healthy to compete alongside LeBron James, the organization now has to figure out how to create something out of the little assets they do have.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Lakers are actively trying to make a trade but are not having any success. Their latest trade involved sending Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker and a future first-round pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a package built around Malcolm Brogdon. This potential deal was dead on arrival.
Westbrook’s name has been in trade talks since the start of the offseason for Los Angeles, due to the way he played during the 2021-22 season. But Horton-Tucker has been included in trade packages for the Lakers since the mid-season trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers have tried to trade Talen Horton-Tucker in the past.
Most notably, the Lakers reportedly tried to trade Horton-Tucker to the Detroit Pistons in a package for Jerami Grant. That package — built around Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn — was reportedly shopped around the league.
Los Angeles also reportedly offered Horton-Tucker along with future draft picks to the Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson and was unsuccessful. Now they are once again trying to find a team to take him.
Horton-Tucker was drafted by the Lakers with the 46 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Los Angeles “bought” the pick from the Orlando Magic by trading a 2020 second-round pick and cash to move into the second round to select him.
His career stats with Los Angeles is 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists a game.
The Lakers chose to re-sign Horten-Tucker over Alex Caruso during the 2021 offseason. He was given a three-year, 32 million dollar deal.
LA brought him back because of his potential and growth over the previous two seasons. But his lack of defense, a decline in his mid-game shooting, and no improvement in his three-point shooting, this past season can make a case as to why Los Angeles made the wrong decision.
During the 2021-22 season, Horton-Tucker averaged 10 points and 3.2 rebounds while playing 25 minutes a game. These stats are not amazing, but they are decent enough to include with other players as a package deal. But unfortunately, the Lakers have not had much luck in securing a deal.
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It does not appear that teams are accepting what the Lakers have to offer and if no moves are made during the offseason, fans should not expect the 2022-23 season to be any different than the previous one.