Official Signing! Dropped 41 and 37 Points! Once the Future of the Lakers...

Talen Horton-Tucker, often referred to as "THT," has finally found a new home. The 23-year-old guard has signed a partially guaranteed contract with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. While it may seem surprising that a young player with THT’s physical attributes and potential has only just secured a contract this late into the offseason, there are deeper factors at play that explain his difficult journey.

At just 23, THT is still considered a promising prospect. Last season with the Utah Jazz, he posted averages of 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, although his shooting percentage left much to be desired at 39.6%. Despite these somewhat modest numbers, it’s puzzling that it took him so long to secure even a partially guaranteed deal. After all, THT showed flashes of brilliance just a year earlier, during the 2022-23 season, his first with the Jazz after being traded from the Lakers.

In that breakout season, THT had an impressive stretch where he scored 20+ points in four consecutive games, including an explosive 41-point performance and another game where he dropped 37. At that time, many were questioning whether the Lakers had made a mistake in trading him. Fans who had once seen THT as a future star for the purple and gold were vocal about how the Lakers may have "let one get away." It seemed like the Utah Jazz had unlocked a hidden gem that the Lakers had failed to fully develop.

However, looking back, it appears that the Lakers' decision to part ways with THT wasn’t as short-sighted as it seemed at the time. Despite spending three years developing him and giving him numerous opportunities, THT never quite blossomed into the star they hoped he would be. His inconsistency on both ends of the court, coupled with his struggles to develop a reliable jumper, made him expendable for a team with championship aspirations. After his initial success in Utah, his second season there saw a sharp decline in productivity, and the Jazz, like the Lakers before them, decided to move on from him.

Now, signing with the Chicago Bulls represents a fresh opportunity for THT, and it might just be his last shot to prove he belongs in the NBA. If this experiment doesn’t work out, his next stop could very well be an overseas league like the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association), or perhaps another international destination. However, with the Bulls in a rebuilding phase, THT might have just the right environment to find his footing.

DeMar DeRozan’s departure to the Sacramento Kings this summer has left a void on the wing for Chicago, and THT, with his 6'4" frame and ridiculous 7'1" wingspan, is physically equipped to step into that role. This could give him a chance to showcase the talent that once made Lakers fans dream of him becoming the next Kawhi Leonard. Back in 2020, during a preseason game between the Lakers and the Clippers, THT had a memorable moment where he used his long arms to steal the ball from Leonard himself, causing many to draw comparisons between the two.

But that comparison to Kawhi never quite panned out. Despite having the physical tools — a long wingspan, decent size for his position, and a solid defensive upside — THT struggled to develop his offensive consistency, particularly with his shooting. For all the promise of being a two-way player, his time with the Lakers and later the Jazz showed he still had a lot of work to do to become the star many envisioned. And now, just a few years removed from being touted as the future of the Lakers, THT finds himself fighting for his place in the league.

Interestingly, while THT has now landed a job, another similarly talented but underachieving young player, Markelle Fultz, is still waiting for his next contract. Fultz, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has also struggled to live up to expectations. Last season with the Orlando Magic, Fultz averaged just 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Like THT, Fultz has had his moments, showing glimpses of the elite talent that once made him the top pick in the draft. However, injuries and inconsistency have hindered his ability to develop into the player he was projected to be.

It’s a harsh reality for players like THT and Fultz, both of whom entered the NBA with high expectations and seemingly limitless potential. They have the physical tools, they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but for whatever reason, they’ve struggled to translate that potential into consistent success. Now, as THT embarks on a new chapter with the Bulls, he will be hoping that this change of scenery can provide the spark he needs to finally live up to the promise that made him such an intriguing prospect in the first place.

Whether or not THT succeeds in Chicago remains to be seen. The Bulls are in the midst of a rebuild, and the opportunity for playing time is there for the taking. If THT can capitalize on this chance and recapture the form that saw him put up those 41- and 37-point games, he could carve out a significant role for himself. But if he fails to impress, it’s hard to see where his NBA career goes from here.

For now, THT is still just 23 years old, and time is on his side. He’s been given another opportunity to prove himself, and for a player of his physical gifts, that might be all he needs. Whether he can take advantage of this chance and become a key piece for the Bulls, or if this is the beginning of the end for his NBA career, only time will tell. One thing’s for sure: THT’s story is far from over, and Chicago might just be the place where he finally finds his true potential.