West contender has 'considered signing' Jazz free agent Talen Horton-Tucker: Report
By Matt John
There has not been a lot of noise surrounding Utah Jazz free agent Talen Horton-Tucker. After once being seen as part of the Lakers' future, Horton-Tucker's NBA future may very well be in doubt. However, it appears one West contender may potentially add him.
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that the Dallas Mavericks have considered bringing in Horton-Tucker. However, it sounds like he's more of a backup option to them than anything else.
"League sources say that the Mavericks have also considered signing Dennis Smith Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker, with (Spencer) Dinwiddie believed to be the top candidate," Stein wrote in a July 21 story.
The Mavericks are coming off a surprise run to the NBA Finals, though they lost in five games. Horton-Tucker would give them title experience and a little bit of youth. At the same time, it's not like that helped the Jazz much. If it did, they would have re-signed him by now.
Horton-Tucker called seventh-best free agent remaining
Again, there hasn't been a whole lot of buzz surrounding Horton-Tucker, which could also make him cheaper to re-sign compared to what the Jazz had been paying him for the last two years. Despite this. Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley called him the seventh-best free agent remaining in a July 11 story.
Bucklet explained Horton-Tucker's appeal to any potentially interested suitor.
"There are still real concerns with his jump shot, but Talen Horton-Tucker is only 23 years old, typically puts up raw numbers whenever given the chance, and has good size (6'4" with a 7'1" wingspan) for a primary playmaker."
Of the six players ranked ahead of him at the time, Gary Trent Jr. has since signed with the Bucks. Trent signed for the veteran's minimum, which may signify what Horton-Tucker's market would be if he has a market.
The Mavericks have had a solid offseason, adding Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes while subtracting Tim Hardaway Jr. If they are looking for a diamond in the rough, Horton-Tucker could be that.
The Jazz gave Horton-Tucker a fair shot for the last two seasons, and unfortunately it didn't work out. That doesn't mean it can't if he goes to the Mavericks. Just look at Lauri Markkanen. Look at where he is now compared to when he first arrived in Utah.