6 Former Lakers the team could reunite with for 2024-25 season

3. Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz

Despite the fact that he just completed his fifth NBA season, Talen Horton-Tucker is still just 23 years of age. The former second-round draft pick has certainly underwhelmed in some respects, but writing him off at such a young age would be a foolish errand.

The Los Angeles Lakers need length and athleticism on defense, and reaching out to Horton-Tucker to explore a potential reunion could contribute to filling that void.

Standing at 6'4" and 235 pounds with a 7'1" wingspan, it's easy to see why some are still intrigued by what Horton-Tucker could become. Despite being somewhat undersized for a wing, he's heavier than the average power forward and boasts a wingspan that can help him switch against virtually every position.

Horton-Tucker is an inefficient offensive player, but there's dyill upside that could be worth exploring—even if only one more time.

Horton-Tucker shot just 39.6 percent from the field in 2023-24, but don't be so quick to rush to judgment. He also improved his three-point field goal percentage for the second consecutive season while shooting a career-best 80.7 percent from the free throw line.

That steady improvement suggests that Horton-Tucker—and again, he's only 23—could still become a quality 3-and-D player for Los Angeles.

In terms of how likely a reunion between the two sides could be, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports that Horton-Tucker is unlikely to return to the Jazz in 2024-25.

"Guard Talen Horton-Tucker, who will be an unrestricted free agent after his fifth NBA season, is not likely to return next season, according to league sources."

An unrestricted free agent with an uncertain market, Horton-Tucker returning to the Lakers on a one-year prove-it deal could be an entirely realistic possibility.