Los Angeles Lakers: Weighing options at the starting shooting guard slot
By Dalton Sell
Shooting guard options for the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers: Talen Horton-Tucker
The Lakers clearly believe they have something special in Talen Horton-Tucker. They handed him a nice extension in free agency worth $32 million over three years, and they are expecting big things from him this coming season. The 20-year-old showed glimpses of potential during his first two seasons in LA, but they will need him to unearth it this year, especially if he takes the leap fans have been hoping for and he starts.
Tucker has primarily been a bench piece for the Lakers over the past two years, making just five starts in 71 regular-season appearances. In that time, he has averaged 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, not exactly the most eye-catching numbers. The biggest knock on the guard is his lackluster outside shot, where he has shot 28.5 percent for his career. His shooting fails in comparison to someone like Monk or Bazemore, which could be problematic in a lineup that needs spacing alongside James and Westbrook.
At 20-years-old, Tucker has much room to grow still, and he seems best-suited to play a bench role once more this season. His fit with LA’s top players is not seamless, and he would provide a solid presence in the second unit. Still, The Athletic’s Bill Oram, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick (subscription required) noted that Tucker would compete for the starting spot in camp. If the guard impresses the coaches, potentially by showing off an improved outside shot, then he could be worthy of taking a massive step forward and being named the starter.