There was a time when Los Angeles Lakers fans thought Talen Horton-Tucker had some incredible potential. Many would scoff at the idea of including him in trade packages because of his well-touted upside. Fast forward to 2025 and the former Lakers draft pick is on the fringes of the NBA.
Rob Pelinka and the front office gave up on Horton-Tucker following the 2021-22 NBA season. The former Lakers guard averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal. That would look good if you look away from his 50.3 true shooting percentage and -0.5 value over replacement player.
In the summer of 2022, the Lakers front office sent Horton-Tucker packing to the Utah Jazz, along with Stanley Johnson, for veteran guard Patrick Beverley. Hard to say that was a home-run addition either, as the defensive pest was traded away before the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Horton-Tucker failed to capitalize on the opportunity in Utah for two seasons. The 24-year-old guard had a lackluster 2024-25 experience with the Chicago Bulls. It is worth wondering whether the former untouchable asset still has a spot in the NBA for the upcoming campaign.
Talen Horton-Tucker enduring quiet free agency period
No one would be blamed for not even knowing that Horton-Tucker was a free agent right now. The score-first guard has not come up in any sort of notable rumor mill talk, or anything of that similar nature.
Horton-Tucker posted 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1,4 assists per game in 58 appearances for the Bulls this past season. The six-year pro averaged the lowest minutes per game of his NBA career with only 12.5 a night.
Horton-Tucker had a long wait during the 2024 offseason to get an opportunity with the Bulls. It took until Sep. 4 for Chicago to agree with the bench guard on a partially guaranteed deal. That is when Shams Charania reported on the matter, at the very least.
It should not surprise anyone if Horton-Tucker is likewise put out of mind for a considerable while longer during this offseason too. After the initial wave of free agency, outlets like HoopsHype only have him ranked as the 21st best available free agent.
Naturally, everyone is entitled to a slightly different ranking, but it is difficult to look at some of the names above him and imagine Horton-Tucker leapfrogging very many of them, if any. The point there being, the former Laker is certainly not going to be fighting away potential suitors.
At this point, Horton-Tucker would be lucky to find a spot at all. The second apron has made everyone very financially conscious during this offseason.
While the free agent guard certainly won't be commanding a big pay day by any means, teams are still guarding their pockets very closely. That could be an added layer as to why finding a job in the NBA will prove difficult for a Laker who was once the talk of the town.