Talen Horton-Tucker is a talented young combo guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. While he has received limited usage this season, when given the opportunity on the offensive end, Talen Horton-Tucker has often delivered. Horton-Tucker is a player that could potentially turn into a large contributor if he continues to develop.
An article by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report featured a segment on Talen Horton-Tucker that talked about how Horton-Tucker’s value is seen around the league. Pincus reported an Eastern Conference executive’s thoughts on the matter. The executive in question stated that he would give Horton-Tucker a max contract. A player agent differed in opinion, suggesting that Horton-Tucker is no more than a role player.
At 20, he’s only a year or two older than some of the top prospects—Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs—in July’s NBA draft. “I’d max him out,” an Eastern Conference executive said.
Horton-Tucker can earn up to roughly $83 million over the next four years, but only if a team has the cap room to give him an Arenas rule offer sheet as a restricted free agent. (The cited executive does not have the necessary cap space to make that max offer.)
Others aren’t as sold.
“He’s a role player,” said one of the player agents.
While Talen Horton-Tucker isn’t a max player currently, he definitely has a lot of potential upside. There is no question that if a team gave him a max contract, then they would be betting on his improvement if given more touches and opportunity. While many teams would balk at taking such a gamble, it seems as though at least one executive believes in Talen Horton-Tucker.
