NBA Rumors: Talen Horton-Tucker, Bulls Agree to Partially Guaranteed Contract

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 4, 2024

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly adding some experience to their backcourt.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Wednesday that the Eastern Conference team agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with guard Talen Horton-Tucker. Horton-Tucker is from Chicago and will now have the opportunity to make his hometown team.

The 23-year-old spent the first three seasons of his career as a secondary player on the Los Angeles Lakers. He even won a title during his rookie season, although he appeared in just two postseason games during Los Angeles’ run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

His best season from an individual production standpoint was his first with the Utah Jazz in 2022-23 when he averaged 10.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from deep.

Horton-Tucker put up similar numbers last season in Utah at 10.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds a night while shooting 39.6 percent from the field and 33 percent from deep.

While shooting 33 percent from three-point range still leaves much to be desired, the improved shooting stands out as he heads to Chicago. He will need to take advantage of his opportunities by connecting on those outside shots, especially when opposing defenses collapse on Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević.

The Bulls are not realistically expected to contend this season, so adding young talent like Horton-Tucker is worth the risk.

Perhaps he will take another step now that he has five years of NBA experience under his belt. If he does, he can be part of a youth movement in the backcourt that also includes Coby White, Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu.