Lakers News: Talen Horton-Tucker Reflects On Motivation After Being Traded By LA

The 2020 champ has had an erratic season in Utah.

Former title-winning Los Angeles Lakers reserve guard Talen Horton-Tucker never quite blossomed during his initial run with LA. When the Lakers eventually dealt him to the Utah Jazz for Patrick Beverley at the start of the 2022-23 season, it wasn't really a surprise to longtime fans.

Since being moved, THT has been a bit erratic in a bench role for a surprisingly respectable Jazz team fighting for a play-in spot. This year with the Jazz, he's posting averages of 9.2 points on .419/.285/.761 shooting splits, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds a night, mostly in a reserve role.

Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson of Bally Sports sat down with Horton-Tucker recently to discuss his bond with fellow Chicago native Anthony Davis on LA, and his approach to life away from LA.

“It was crazy that I was a part of the group with him to be able to do that for my city, and everybody wants to represent where they’re from. So you know Chicago, we kind of take pride in that,” Horton-Tucker noted.

"Just coming in and trying to prove everyone wrong," THT said of how he approached his 2022-23 season with the Jazz following the trade. "Make sure everything with my game is on point to the fact where guys are watching out for you, and just trying to get better every day is motivation for me... [So] far, it’s really been up and down ever since the trade deadline, and we’re just continuing to stay together and play defense and try to execute."

At 34-36, THT's Jazz currently are seeded ahead of the 34-37 Lakers. He's shown intriguing flashes, as usual, this year. But can he develop into a consistent option? And what position is he, really? It seems like he's more of a playmaker and set-up than a shooting guard or small forward, given that he can't shoot. But he's not exactly an infallible point guard. Time will tell.

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