5 things to watch over the rest of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers

2. What more does Talen Horton-Tucker have to give?

Talen Horton-Tucker was originally a second-round draft pick by the Orlando Magic in 2019. The fact that he’s one of the talking points of the Lakers’ 2021 season is wild.

Los Angeles’ decision to trade for Horton-Tucker on draft night a couple of years ago is looking incredibly wise now that the 20-year-old has gotten a chance to shine in the NBA.

Horton-Tucker has come alive over the last two months, showing impressive scoring ability and ball-handling. He’s averaging 13.1 points and 3.6 assists per game in April, including an 11-assist outing against Brooklyn.

This is the silver lining that comes with injuries. Markieff Morris is a veteran making the most of his time on the court. Horton-Tucker, who is essentially a rookie after playing six games last season, is doing the same.

What will Horton-Tucker’s role entail once the Lakers start putting together their playoff lineup? Will he be able to convince Frank Vogel to lean on him when the games are at their most important?

Horton-Tucker looks like he has an incredibly bright future. That future could unfold right now.