NBA Free Agency rumors: Talen Horton-Tucker returns to the Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker’s sophomore year in the NBA began with a breakout preseason that quickly made him a fan favorite, continued with him to become a piece of the rotation for the defending champions, and culminates with a salary and a return to the Lakers this summer.

But now Horton-Tucker and the Lakers have struck a deal that will see him eschew restricted free will and stay purple and gold for years to come.

For the Lakers, this is a solid deal for a player they believe a lot. At just under $ 11 million AAV, the Lakers avoided being forced to match an expensive offer and came to a deal that is both a significant pay raise. for Horton-Tucker as well as a reasonable number for the Lakers. In fact, his contract comes in little more each year than Alex Caruso’s contract. He will only be 23 at the end.

After their trade for Russell Westbrook, retaining Horton-Tucker became a priority for the Lakers given their lack of financial flexibility and an exhausted roster with a view to becoming a free agency. The team extended the qualifying offer to make Horton-Tucker a restricted free agent well ahead of the deadline.

Long before the offseason, the team showed how much they value Horton-Tucker by drawing the line for his inclusion in a deal for Kyle Lowry ahead of the trade deadline. Horton-Tucker also represents the only hopeful and talented youngster on the roster as the team progresses in a win-now fashion with the Westbrook.

But Horton-Tucker isn’t sticking with the franchise just because of its potential. He has shown he can play already, appearing in 65 games last season averaging 9 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds, gaining 20.1 minutes per game. He shot 45.8% from the field but struggled from a distance, shooting just 28.2% on the season.

As the season progressed, Horton-Tucker’s role increased as his average minutes per game increased each month of the season, culminating in the fact that he played 24.8 minutes per game in seven games in March. His solid game hasn’t gone unnoticed outside the organization, either, as an Eastern Conference executive suggested they would offer Horton-Tucker a maximum contract this offseason.

The Lakers avoided the difficult decision of having to match a deal they didn’t negotiate by signing a contract with Horton-Tucker. It certainly helps that Horton-Tucker is a client of Klutch and that the Lakers have a strong and positive relationship with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.

With the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Horton-Tucker will almost certainly have an even bigger role next season, a role he deserved and for which he is now being rewarded as he bridges the gap between the Lakers present. and their future.

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