'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The LA Lakers traded Talen Horton-Tucker to the Utah Jazz in the offseason in exchange for Patrick Beverley. Horton-Tucker had a slow start for the Jazz but has played well since the trade deadline, averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists since Feb. 8.
In the Jazz's 128-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday (Mar. 29), Horton-Tucker exploded for a career-high 41 points. He also had four rebounds and five assists, shooting 60.0% from the field and going 6-for-11 from beyond the arc in just 29 minutes of action.
The win gave Utah a fighting chance to make the play-in tournament. They only have six games left in the regular season and need to win all of them to keep their postseason hopes alive. The win also snapped the Jazz's four-game losing streak.
Fans on social media quickly reacted to Talen Horton-Tucker's career night. Most took a shot at the LA Lakers for trading Horton-Tucker for Patrick Beverley, who's no longer with the team. The Lakers traded Beverley to the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline for Mo Bamba.
While the Lakers might have made the wrong move in trading Horton-Tucker, they made it up by acquiring young players at the deadline. Their roster boasts players like Bamba, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell. However, they could have always done better and retained Horton-Tucker.
One fan remarked:
"Le3-6 held him back; it's true"
Here are some of the best comments regarding the Lakers and Horton-Tucker:
Talen Horton-Tucker spent three seasons with LA Lakers
Talen Horton-Tucker was selected 46th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA draft. The LA Lakers acquired him in a draft day trade in exchange for a future second-round pick and cash considerations.
Horton-Tucker spent most of his rookie season in the NBA G League but was part of the championship roster inside the bubble. He played two games in the playoffs as the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals.
The Iowa State product had a more productive second season with the Lakers. He played in 65 games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The Lakers liked what they saw and offered him a three-year, $30 million extension that offseason.
It was panned by some Lakers fans, as the team decided to choose Horton-Tucker over fan-favorite Alex Caruso in free agency. Horton-Tucker averaged 10.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 2.7 apg in his third season, but it was a largely disappointing campaign for the Lakers.
Horton-Tucker was traded to the Utah Jazz last summer and has been steadily contributing to them after the trade deadline. He remains a top prospect for a Jazz team still rebuilding following the trades of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
Guess the Lakers players!
