Subscribe
Follow Us
There is one Los Angeles Lakers player who truly has something to prove over the final 24 games of the regular season. No, it's not Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is facing a major opportunity to step up as Anthony Davis nurses a mid-foot sprain (he'll be re-evaluated in four weeks). The Lakers will need Russ to increase his scoring output and carry more lineups offensively. Other than becoming a winning player in the playoffs (likely not going to happen this season), Westbrook has little to prove in the NBA (he'll let you know this). Barring an unforeseen magical run, the Lakers are likely going to part ways with Westbrook this summer, anyway.
The rest of the players are on the roster are either named LeBron, injured, is an established veteran, or an over-achieving young guy (Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Stanley Johnson).
Besides Davis, there is only one current Laker who is signed past 2022-23: Talen Horton-Tucker.
THT has been underwhelming in his third campaign— and the first of a three-year (including a player option), $30.8 million contract. He's 21, but his regression has been worrisome. Pretty early on, the Lakers scaled back their lofty expectations — from wing-stopping, three-point threat to “developing in those areas”. To be fair, Preseason thumb surgery and COVID-19 were legitimate speed bumps.
Still, Horton-Tucker has been frustratingly inconsistent and unreliable. On top of the salary raise, THT is getting about five more minutes per game this season than in 2020-21. Yet, his per-36 numbers are down across the board. Troublingly, his three-point percentage has somehow decreased (from 28.2% to 27.3%), as has his eFG% and Defensive Box Plus-Minus.
Frank Vogel recently chalked his struggles up to shape-shiftings lineups and roles, which has constantly disrupted the Lakers' rhythm.
“Talen’s touches and opportunities have been inconsistent. That’s not to say that he’s been inconsistent — there have been some nights where the ball finds him a lot more than others … With this team, he’s off the ball and in a secondary scoring role probably too much … to get the most out of him. But that’s just the nature of how our team is built, so we just want him to be aggressive in those opportunities.”
THT seems relieved to have the trade deadline in the rearview mirror and his name still on a locker in Crypto.com Arena. Prior to the All-Star break, Horton-Tucker produced the most impressive all-around three-game stretch since his electric debut week in November (with LeBron out). He was the lone bright spot (14 points, seven assists) against the Portland Trail Blazers. Post-deadline, he put up 17 points and seven rebounds vs. the Golden State Warriors. He shot 7-11 from deep combined in those games.
THT kind of stumbled into this awesome move and just had to fire up the 3 (it worked)pic.twitter.com/CjyPb8yDXA
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) February 10, 2022
His shot wasn't falling (1-6) against the Utah Jazz, but he found other ways to impact winning. He blocked four shots, routinely deploying his length as a difference-maker. He added five rebounds, three assists, and excelled in the hustle/effort department.
“Talen has strung together a few games now where he’s been spectacular,” Vogel said after the Jazz win.
THT's THIRD block of the half leads to offense. 🛑#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/vv4YTiqoDG
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 17, 2022
There are a handful of similarities between THT and Russ. They both thrive with the ball in their hands, when they can size up their man and attack the paint. By contrast, they can quickly get lost when thrust into an off-ball role. They aren't shooters. They can be susceptible to checking out defensively or abandoning the intangibles when their offense isn't grooving.
But Russ is who he is at this point. THT — who does work with Phil Handy — has room to grow.
The Lakers still haven't settled on a starting lineup and will be forced to re-jigger rotations yet again with injuries to Davis and (in the shorter term) Avery Bradley. I wouldn't bet on Horton-Tucker to get the nod — he's better a scorer/play-maker off the bench, as he doesn't provide spacing. But he could very well be the most important player down the stretch for the Lakers organization, in the short and long term.
The Lakers may end up getting very little out of this season. They're destined to fall in the play-in tournament, may end up getting just half a season out of Davis (for the second straight season), then will likely abandon the Westbrook ship and start anew next Fall.
You culd argue the most beneficial situation for the Lakers down the stretch would be Westbrook playing like a star. It would improve the Lakers' chances of making some playoff noise, provide an exciting spark to end a dour campaign, and, most importantly, raise his trade value. Through a big picture lens, though, seeing meaningful growth from their youngest and fourth-highest paid player would be the most encouraging development.
The “second half” of the Lakers season begins tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, who currently lead the Lakers by 1.5 games for the No. 8 seed in the West.
