The Los Angeles Lakers are very close to being completely eliminated from playoff contention.
That means that it’s time for some serious soul-searching for the troubled team.
Even with LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis (most of the time), the Lakers are still 11th in the West and a complete mess.
Now many fans are second-guessing every choice the team has made, including one particular trade refusal.
Last year the Lakers refused to trade Talen Horton-Tucker for Kyle Lowry.
Instead, they signed THT to an extension and he's averaged 9 PPG this year. pic.twitter.com/87rIgg5alD— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 5, 2022
It is public knowledge that the team denied a trade last summer that would have swapped Talen Horton-Tucker for Kyle Lowry.
And now Horton-Tucker has averaged just nine points per game this season.
Does this mean his time in LA has come to an end?
Time For THT To Go?
There is no doubt that the Lakers will do everything they can to improve their roster in the offseason.
This means that Horton-Tucker, and many others, may be given the heave-ho.
While some fans are upset that LA stuck by Horton-Tucker when they could have Lowry, you have to remember what he was doing last year.
He was averaging 9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists last season.
But that came after his first season that had him averaging 5.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1 assist.
He seemed to be moving in the right direction and was a young, bright spot for the team.
Sadly, he has plateaued since then and is no longer improving his game.
The disappointing output from THT is just one of the many lowlights of this year’s Lakers.
You can expect him to be on the chopping block in the months ahead.
However, his trade value has likely plummeted this year, meaning the Lakers might keep him around and hope things turn around.
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