Jazz G Talen Horton-Tucker Pinned as ‘Top Target’ for 3 NBA Teams
Despite moving past the NBA trade deadline close to two weeks ago, speculation continues to swirl around what the future holds for a number of guys around the league.
One of those players happens to be soon-to-be free agent and Utah Jazz guard, Talen Horton-Tucker. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and could be on the lookout for a new franchise to call home as a result depending on what direction the Jazz end up going in the offseason.
Some NBA pundits have already begun throwing out some potential destinations Horton-Tucker could land once free agency rolls around. In a piece from Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, he throws out three names that could be a candidate to acquire the services of the five-year vet: the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Bailey later went on to explain some of the rationale behind these teams being on the radar for Horton-Tucker:
Charlotte Hornets
For a team as bad as the Hornets have been, you can get creative with targets. Realistically, there are needs all over the roster. There's also little risk in taking a flyer on someone. Horton-Tucker has been in and out of the Utah Jazz's rotation this season, but his numbers still suggest there's a multi-positional creator in there somewhere.
Miami Heat
For years, the Heat, thanks to coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff, have been one of the league's best spots for individual reclamation projects. Horton-Tucker's potential as a wrecking-ball playmaker could be unlocked if Miami could coax more consistent outside shooting out of him.
Portland Trail Blazers
One more option in the "just needs the right situation" camp, THT has shown enough as a creator to backup Henderson and Malcolm Brogdon, and his 7'1" wingspan makes it possible to occasionally play him on the wing too.
Despite not having a consistent role in the Jazz rotation throughout this season, a few teams around the association could still find some interest in his upside. In 36 games, Horton-Tucker has averaged 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 41.1/33.1/78.2 splits. He kicked this season off as the team's starting one before eventually dropping out of the rotation.
His physical upside, along with tools as a potential playmaker in the backcourt, could be enough for an opposing team to become willing to offer a new deal this offseason. Horton-Tucker is only 23 years old, so there still stands a lot of room for growth in the right situation.
These final 30 or so games for Horton-Tucker in Utah will be a massive tell in what will happen beyond this season. Returning to the Jazz isn't out of the question, but some outside interest around the league could lead to a change of scenery for the 2019 second-round pick.
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