Another former Los Angeles Lakers contributor is headed overseas.
Following Juan Toscano Anderson’s mid-August decision to continue his professional career in Italy, a slippery 6-foot-4 guard who won a title with the Lakers in 2020 appears close to inking a deal with the reigning EuroLeague champions.
“EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce Istanbul are finalizing a deal with six-year NBA guard Talen Horton-Tucker,” BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas reported Monday.
Horton-Tucker was a Laker for the first three years of his NBA career.
While the Iowa State product didn’t provide the organization with jaw-dropping production from three, he was crafty enough in the mid-range area and the paint to be viewed as a positive offensive contributor early on.
However, with Horton-Tucker showing no signs of improvement as a long-range shooter and frequently getting exposed defensively due to his slow reaction time and lateral quickness, the Lakers decided to move on from him in 2022 via a trade to the Utah Jazz.
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Horton-Tucker experienced similar issues with the Jazz and Chicago Bulls (who signed him in 2024), leading to the 24-year-old generating minimal free agent interest this summer.
A strong showing with Fenerbahce Istanbul could improve Horton-Tucker’s chances of returning to the big leagues.
Still, the Chicago, Illinois native’s road to another NBA contract won’t be a walk in the park, considering his current weaknesses would make him a massive gamble for any franchise.
It’ll be interesting to see how Horton-Tucker approaches the next leg of his professional career.
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