Jazz PG Talen Horton-Tucker Speaks Out on His Big Offseason Decision
The Utah Jazz have a couple of key players hitting the offseason with an uncertain future. Both Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker are sitting on a player option this offseason, where either could decline it and hit the open waters of NBA free agency.
All things being equal, and if the Jazz were 100% healthy, Clarkson and Horton-Tucker would likely be the team's starting backcourt if they had to go to war tomorrow. Thus, the Jazz are staring down the barrel of two potentially huge personnel losses.
While the storylines will continue to matriculate as we inch closer to the deadline for these decisions, the best way to get a bead on how things might play out is by hearing it directly from the horse's mouth. In the case of Horton-Tucker, while he might be just 22 years old, he was wise enough to choose his words carefully when asked about what his future might hold during his end-of-season press conference.
“Really, I just talk to my agents and I let them do their jobs, honestly," Horton-Tucker said last Tuesday. "I really try to stay away from it. I really just listen to them. I hired them because I feel like they’re leading me in the best direction, so I really just let them do that.”
It sounds like his reps did a good job of coaching 'THT' before he sat down to the microphone at Jazz HQ. It was a savvy non-answer, but he did let slip how he feels about playing in Utah.
“I love it here, honestly," Horton-Tucker said. "Just being able to—you guys are great, honestly. I got an opportunity here. I’m appreciative of that. I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t love it.”
Indeed, in the wake of Utah's roster machinations at the NBA trade deadline, THT was given a lot of playing rope. He started a career-high 20 games last season and emerged into an explosive player down the stretch.
After Mike Conley was traded, Utah's plan was for Collin Sexton to carry the point guard mantle. But Sexton's lingering hamstring injury relegated him to the bench for all but one of the Jazz's post-All-Star break games.
That led first-year head coach Will Hardy to give THT a shot, and, boy, did that decision pay off with gusto. THT really picked up a head of steam to close out the season with Utah resting the likes of the aforementioned Clarkson, Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and even rookie Walker Kessler.
THT averaged 28 points and seven assists over the last five games. It wasn't just the Jazz who had an epiphany about THT's fit as a point guard.
“I always felt like I could be a point guard in the NBA," Horton-Tucker said. "I just never got the opportunity. I feel like just using this second half—it just really got the opportunity for myself to see where I am as an NBA player. So I feel like I’m going to go into the summer preparing to be a point guard. Just going into—trying to be the best at that position."
Here's to hoping that Horton-Tucker's continued emphasis on becoming "the best" point guard will happen under Utah's stewardship. Time will tell how THT's agents opt to handle his big offseason decision.
If THT declines his option, the Jazz still have Sexton, an arsenal of premium draft picks, and salary-cap space to restock the shelves. Plus, Kris Dunn. If THT exercises his option and remains in Utah, the Jazz would truly be loaded for bear on the 2023-24 hunt, even if Clarkson doesn't come back.
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