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Lakers: Not trading Talen Horton-Tucker for Kyle Lowry was the right move

By Steven Kubitza

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a reverse layup in front of Mason Plumlee #24 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Staples Center on February 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a reverse layup in front of Mason Plumlee #24 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Staples Center on February 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /
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The Lakers were wise to keep Talen Horton-Tucker instead of including him in a deal for Kyle Lowry.

The Kyle Lowry trade rumors were abundant all the way up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. But the Toronto Raptors appeared to be asking too much and Lowry remains with the team for the rest of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers were one team reportedly in on the Lowry sweepstakes and rumors indicated the Raptors wanted Talen Horton-Tucker. The young guard has seen his production rise this season and the Lakers made the smart move to tell the Raptors “no thanks” on including him in a Lowry deal.

Lakers wise to hold onto Talen Horton-Tucker

Lowry would have shown up in Los Angeles as a rental. That is always fine if the goal is to win a title, as it is for the Lakers. However, the team is going to have to make some tough roster decisions in the coming years and Horton-Tucker is a 20-year-old player who could be part of the future core. Adding Lowry would have meant both he and Horton-Tucker would be gone next season.

Horton-Tucker is in his second NBA season with the Lakers and is averaging 7.9 points in 18.4 minutes per game this season. He is a restricted free agent next offseason and should factor in as a cheap option for the team as they try to lessen the luxury tax bill.

The Raptors were doing their best to land young talent in exchange for Lowry. The veteran guard is now 35 years old and trading him to a contender for foundational pieces would have been a huge victory for Toronto. The asking prices were just too high.

The Lakers are all-in on winning with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But the front office also needs to think of the future and Horton-Tucker could grow in this system to become a star. Having a healthy James and Davis by the postseason takes away the need to send away young talent for a Lowry rental.

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