Lakers Talen Horton-Tucker Becomes Restricted Free Agent

 

In one of the worst-kept secrets in the league, the Los Angeles Lakers actually want to keep Talen Horton-Tucker. They've extended a qualifying offer to the 20-year-old, meaning he becomes a restricted free agent. 

The Lakers have extended a qualifying offer to Talen Horton-Tucker, making him a restricted free agent, per @ShamsCharania.

The former second-round draft pick averaged 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 65 games last season. pic.twitter.com/FnTxaSAUaq

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 22, 2021

The most important part of the qualifying offer being made, is that the Lakers can match any offer that Horton-Tucker receives as an RFA. 

It was pretty clear back at the trade deadline how much LA valued the second-year player, as they refused to include him in a trade that could have landed them Kyle Lowry. 

Kyle Lowry vs the Lakers:

37 PTS (season-high)
11 AST
8 3PT (career-high)

The Lakers really refused to trade Talen Horton-Tucker for him. pic.twitter.com/FVz88kED0B

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 3, 2021

In Lowry's next game against the Lakers after they turned down the trade, the veteran point guard posted a mammoth game, of 37 points, 11 assists, and a career-high eight 3-pointers. Perhaps a little message in that performance for LeBron and Co. 

Horton-Tucker averaged 9 points and 2.8 assists in 20 minutes per game of playing time this season. The contractual numbers mean that the Lakers can offer him more than $10 million a season.

The Qualifying Offer for Talen Horton-Tucker is $1,897,476.

The Lakers have early bird rights and can sign him up to a contract that projects to start at $10.4M.

The contract must be for a minimum of 2 seasons.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 22, 2021

Photo Credit:  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports