At 15-13, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t quite where they want to be at this point in the season.
So far, the team has struggled to stay consistent and many believe a change is needed if they want to compete for a title.
On that front, the Lakers do have one name that is drawing major interest on the trade market: young wing Talen Horton-Tucker. But, according to NBA insider Jordan Schultz, the team may not be ready to give him up just yet.
Talen Horton-Tucker has become a trade target of as many as seven teams, league sources say. It will take “a lot” to get him though, I’m told. #Lakers, who really value THT, are hesitant. He just turned 21 and is averaging a career-best 11 PPG, 5 RPG and 3 assists.
Talen Horton-Tucker has become a trade target of as many as seven teams, league sources say. It will take “a lot” to get him though, I’m told. #Lakers, who really value THT, are hesitant. He just turned 21 and is averaging a career-best 11 PPG, 5 RPG and 3 assists.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 13, 2021
THT was drafted 46th overall in the 2019 Draft. Before he got to play a single team for the Orlando Magic (the team that drafted him), he was traded to the Lakers, where he has been ever since.
He was part of the team that won the title in 2020 but really caught L.A.’s eye the following season when he first emerged as a potential long-term contributor.
This season, he’s stringing together this best performance yet with averages of 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 40% shooting.
The age and experience of L.A.’s current roster make THT an especially important piece for the future. When LeBron James eventually retires, it could be Horton-Tucker who emerges as AD’s next co-star.
That’s obviously wishful thinking at this point, but it’s clear that the Lakers hold him in very high regard.
Still, as the season progresses, and teams like the Warriors and Suns continue to impress, Rob Pelinka could feel increasing pressure to trade their young asset for someone with a more immediate impact.
We’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out.
