With the Los Angeles Lakers currently struggling a bit, the franchise may have a little trick up its sleeve to create a potential trade package. With Anthony Davis sidelined, this team needs some sort of boost to improve and remain competitive throughout the regular season.
To do that, the Lakers may have started Talen Horton-Tucker for this specific reason. He's a young player, only in the second year of his NBA career, but has been playing some legitimate time for LA this season. Horton-Tucker is currently playing about 17 minutes a game. He's also averaging 6.8 points, two assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Starting Horton-Tucker more often may result in padding his stats and creating potential trade interest with another franchise.
Playing for the former Iowa State Cyclones talent for one year, Horton-Tucker finished his single-season college career averaging 11.8 points, 2.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds. He was a focal point for the Cyclones in the 2018-19 season, where he started in 34 of 35 games he played.
He was later drafted by the Orlando Magic before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. He's worked his way up the ranks of the league where he's been gaining more attention off the bench since the NBA bubble last season. He came into his own during that time, earning himself a solid rotational role on the Lakers roster this year.
With Anthony Davis Hurt, the Lakers may be pulling a trick to give Horton-Tucker some attention as a potential trade candidate. During the game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, Horton Tucker scored eight points, five assists, and five rebounds in 30 minutes. Not the most eye-popping stats in the world, but it's something to build upon.
If Talen Horton-Tucker can increase his scoring into the double-digits while maintaining his assist, and rebound totals, he very well could catch the attention of a franchise searching for young potential.
With this Lakers team in “win now” mode, they're not interested in developing young players as they're aiming to win a second consecutive championship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Giving more playing time to Horton-Tucker increases their chances of finding a potential trade partner as the deadline is on March 25th.
If this comes to fruition, it'll be interesting to see what the Lakers get back in return. The front office may have to include a draft pick or two to increase the value of the trade. However, if Horton-Tucker plays well enough, it's not crazy to think LA could acquire a solid veteran to give this roster a much-needed boost.
With that in mind, giving Horton-Tucker more playing time could be a tricky maneuver made by the coaching staff and front office. He's being given more playing time, where he's able to show off his abilities as an NBA player. However, this could backfire, as franchises across the league may not be as interested in the second-year shooting guard after all.
At the end of the day, this is exactly what the Lakers need right now with Anthony Davis hurt, and the trade deadline quickly approaching. They're in a slump and need to find a way to right the ship. Check out their next game against the Portland Trailblazers on Friday night, as they could give Horton-Tucker another shot to increase his value again.
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