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LAS VEGAS — Talen Horton-Tucker already missed the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento, and the Los Angeles Lakers have now announced that their lone 2019 draft pick has also been ruled out for the entirety of the team’s play in Las Vegas Summer League as well with the same stress reaction in his right foot.
According to the team, Horton-Tucker will stay with the team in Las Vegas and continue to receive treatment on his foot, and sat courtside for the team’s first game of summer league against the Chicago Bulls:
I have the Lakers star sitting courtside shot you want: Talen Horton-Tucker is on the bench supporting the team after being ruled out of Las Vegas Summer League. pic.twitter.com/DbruUoulSN
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 6, 2019
Horton-Tucker missing the entire tournament is a disappointing outcome for fans, as Las Vegas would have been the first opportunity to see where the team’s only draft pick is in his development.
Still, there are reasons to watch. The Lakers’ solitary two-way player, Zach Norvell Jr., lit up the California Classic and it’s worth tuning in to see how he continues to develop, and if he has a chance to be this year’s version of Alex Caruso (a two-way player that can contribute when called upon).
Devontae Cacok has also been impressive for the Lakers so far as a rebounder and finisher around the rim, and given how depth-deprived the team looks to be, finding a diamond in the rough — whether it’s Cacok or someone else — to either stash on the South Bay Lakers or at the back end of their NBA roster would be a solid outcome in Las Vegas.
The Lakers began summer league on Friday, July 5 at 4:30 in the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV, and will play Saturday in the same gym at the same time.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.