The Los Angeles Lakers are still acclimating on the court after adding 14 faces to the roster this season.
Los Angeles had only three players return from last season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker.
The two stars jump out, but Horton-Tucker is the intriguing piece on the squad. The third-year guard is only 21 years old, and he has lofty expectations on his shoulder after L.A. re-signed him to a hefty three-year extension over the summer.
Among the players on the team, Horton-Tucker has been dubbed the biggest X-factor for the Lakers, via Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report:
Scan the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, and the lack of reliable defensive wing options explodes off the page…
Talen Horton-Tucker has the tools — length, a wide frame, good lateral quickness — to wrangle tough wings, though he’s inexperienced and lacks a track record of results. Unless Trevor Ariza has a renaissance upon his return from ankle surgery at age 36 or LeBron James further taxes himself by taking on difficult matchups, Horton-Tucker may have to check the Devin Bookers, Jayson Tatums and Paul Georges of the world.
That’s a tall order for a 21-year-old who’s also being asked to provide supplemental scoring and facilitation.
Horton-Tucker missed the first 13 games of the season, but he was immediately thrust into a heavy-minute role upon his return. He’s still finding his form, and he could be the player who helps the Lakers find theirs.
Horton-Tucker missed the start of the season due to a thumb injury but has played in 13 games since returning. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 28.6 minutes per game on 38.3% shooting overall and 25.6% from deep.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said the team is grooming Horton-Tucker to defend the opposition’s best player, which aligns with Hughes’ analysis of the young guard.
The Lakers are balancing a tough line with trying to develop the youngest player on the roster while trying to win now. Horton-Tucker showed impressive flashes in his first three games back but has not performed at the same level since. He will need to rediscover that form to give the Lakers a better chance at earning title No. 18.
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