Earlier this week, the Utah Jazz completed a trade. It was not a blockbuster involving NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell, but it was one that still drew some headlines as they agreed on a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Patrick Beverley, who was acquired earlier this offseason from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster, is heading to the Lakers. In exchange, the Jazz are receiving Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson.
This is quite a 180-degree turn for the Los Angeles Lakers when it comes to Horton-Tucker. During the 2020-21 season, they were in discussions with the Toronto Raptors on a deal centered around Kyle Lowry. Part of the hold-up was Horton-Tucker, whom the Lakers refused to include.
Fast forward to now, Horton-Tucker is on his way to Utah for Beverley after regressing in the time since the 2021 deadline. However, part of the reason that he struggled according to an NBA scout that talked to NBA Analysis Network was that he was being used in a role he wasn’t ready to handle.
“A lot of his role started with being a spacer and he just hasn’t yet found consistency as a catch-and-shoot guy. That’s a real problem if you’re playing next to LeBron and Russ. If the Jazz go into a rebuild, he should have the ball in his hands more. That’s a good start.”
Horton-Tucker’s 3-point percentage has actually worsened each season of his career as his role in the rotation has grown. He is a 27.6 percent shooter in his career from distance as his efficiency as a whole has lowered as well.
Playing for a contending team loaded with superstars is not easy. Horton-Tucker has some potential, but it is tough to realize that when development isn’t the No. 1 priority for a team. With the Jazz, that will change.
There are a lot of players on the depth chart currently for the Jazz, but Horton-Tucker should be able to carve out a role for himself. Being given more opportunities with the ball in his hands and leaning into his strengths should lead to better results.
“He’s a forceful driver when he can attack hard right with some space, but he relies on that too much right now. He’s got to improve going left, add a solid pull-up, and develop some reliable counters when he gets cut off. I did like what I saw when he attacked the rim using ball screens. He can finish with power even if he has to do it against the big in drop coverage. He definitely still has a raw offensive game.”
Talen Horton-Tucker is still only 21 years old, so it makes sense that he has a lot of raw talent that needs refining. With the Jazz, he should have more chances at realizing it as they will be focused on player development more than anything during the 2021-22 season.
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