Lakers

Lakers: Up and Coming Players To Watch During Exhibition Games in Orlando

The Lakers are back tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Tonight will be an exhibition game; however, there are two up and coming players to watch for in the purple and gold. Devontae Cacok and Talen Horton-Tucker had great showings with the South Bay Lakers. Now, they will look to continue that momentum, prove themselves, and earn some playoff minutes with the Los Angeles Lakers.

This is a perfect opportunity for Lakers coach Frank Vogel to give playtime to the younger players in exhibition games. With the South Bay Lakers, Cacok averaged 19.4 points, on 65.8% shooting, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, in just 23.8 minutes per game. Cacok’s style of play is similar to Montrezl Harrell, and the Lakers need that type of player on the roster.

With Rajon Rondo out, for now, Talen Horton-Tucker could see a bigger opportunity going forward. Horton-Tucker averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Horton-Tucker is just 19-years old, and the ceiling is high for him. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan, and although he’s 6-foot-4, his length will help him defend taller guards, such as Luka Doncic.

Cacok and Horton-Tucker seemed to have good chemistry with the South Bay Lakers. If they can carry that chemistry and production to the NBA, it could force the Lakers’ front office to make tough decisions in the offseason for players such as JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, and Rajon Rondo. Cacok and Horton-Tucker are ready to turn some heads starting tonight for the Lakers, and they should see a good amount of playtime during the preseason, as well as an opportunity to prove themselves to the coaching staff.

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