Los Angeles Lakers: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
Drafted Talen Horton-Tucker
Although the Los Angeles Lakers are in the history books drafting Virginia forward De’Andre Hunter, he was always destined for the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade, and therefore will not be evaluated here.
That leaves the Lakers with one draft pick this year, Iowa State wing Talen Horton-Tucker.
Horton-Tucker is an incredibly raw player, one unlikely to make a significant impact as a rookie. He will be the second-youngest player in the league, not turning 19 until the week of Thanksgiving (Detroit forward Sekou Doumbouya turns 19 two days before Christmas).
The Lakers took Horton-Tucker as an investment in the future, a prospect with unique measurables and plenty of upside.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
- A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
- Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup
Horton-Tucker is 6’4” but boasts a 7’1” wingspan, a “plus-9” figure that is the highest in this draft class. Although he has the height of a guard he has the wingspan of a power forward and should be able to guard both forward positions down the line.
He has a variety of NBA skills — dribbling, finishing, cutting — but no standout one, and his shooting is somewhat suspect.
Coming into the 2019 NBA Draft the Lakers were without their second-round pick from a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, but traded their 2020 second-round selection, along with cash, for the right to sign the Iowa State wing.
On the one hand, they may have taken him simply because he is a Klutch client, some sort of favor to LeBron James. Teams have done something similar before, such as when the Miami Heat took Shabazz Napier in 2014 to try and convince LeBron James to stick around (he did not).
On the other hand, taking Horton-Tucker with the 46th pick in the draft was a steal if he can deliver on the upside his frame contains. My personal board had THT ranked 22nd, and most draft pundits had him as a first-round pick.
At that point in the draft finding a player who can contribute right away is a fool’s errand, and the Lakers seem to have found value in a player who can help down the line.