Horton-Tucker set to undergo surgery on right thumb
Even before playing one game, the Lakers are now staring down a depth chart chipped away by injury.
Talen Horton-Tucker, the youngest member of the team and the only other returner besides LeBron James and Anthony Davis, will undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb, a person with knowledge of the situation told Southern California News Group. The procedure is expected to put the 6-foot-4 wing out of action for at least several weeks.
Horton-Tucker is one of the Lakers’ dynamic drivers to the basket. Last season, he averaged 9 points and 2.8 assists per game, earning a three-year, $32 million deal this summer to return. The 2019 second round pick is known for his 7-foot-1 wingspan, and general manager Rob Pelinka said he hoped to see Horton-Tucker become a “dominant defensive player” this season.
Those hopes are now on hold after Horton-Tucker’s thumb was injured against Golden State. The 20-year-old attended Sunday’s game with a black wrap on his thumb, and head coach Frank Vogel said he was awaiting evaluation results.
The Lakers are already perilously thin on depth along the wings.
Forward Trevor Ariza is expected to miss at least eight weeks after right ankle surgery last week. Horton-Tucker, who typically can play guard or small forward, adds to the strain the Lakers are already starting to feel.
The injury may open up more minutes for Kent Bazemore, who has earned plaudits from coaches on his play on both ends in the preseason, as well as Wayne Ellington and Malik Monk (who is himself recovering from a groin strain for the next week). The injury also throws in the possibility that rookie Austin Reaves could see time.
The Lakers have one remaining roster spot they could still use to sign another player on a minimum deal. But the front office is expected to be judicious with that spot in part due to the luxury tax: Every additional dollar the Lakers spend is more than quadrupled since they are more than $18 million above the salary cap.