The Chicago Bulls are bolstering their backcourt by adding hometown talent, Talen Horton-Tucker, to their roster. As reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Bulls have agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the 23-year-old guard. Horton-Tucker, who hails from Chicago, will now have the opportunity to play for his hometown team after spending the past five years in the NBA.
Horton-Tucker started his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played a secondary role. Notably, he won a championship with the team in 2020, although he saw limited action in their playoff run. After three seasons with the Lakers, Horton-Tucker moved to the Utah Jazz, where he experienced his best individual production.
During the 2022-23 season with Utah, Horton-Tucker averaged 10.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. His shooting was a mixed bag, with a 41.9 percent clip from the field but a low 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. He put up similar numbers last season, averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, while improving his three-point shooting to 33 percent. Though not exceptional, the improvement in his shooting percentage from deep is a positive sign as he joins the Bulls.
With his five years of NBA experience, Horton-Tucker will have the opportunity to contribute to a Chicago team that isn’t expected to contend for a title this season. His role will be to complement key players like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, especially by knocking down open shots when defenses focus on the Bulls’ stars.
While Horton-Tucker is still developing, the Bulls’ decision to sign him adds to their growing pool of young talent in the backcourt, alongside players like Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Ayo Dosunmu. If he continues to progress, he could play an important role in Chicago’s future as part of their youth movement.
The Chicago Bulls’ next move could involve further adjustments to their roster, depending on their goals for the upcoming season. Given their current position as a team not expected to contend for a championship, here are a few possible directions they could take:
### 1. **Adding More Shooting and Wing Depth**
The Bulls could focus on improving their perimeter shooting and wing defense, areas where they’ve struggled in recent seasons. Adding another three-and-D player to support Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan would help stretch the floor and provide defensive versatility. Players available via free agency or a midseason trade could fill this gap.
### 2. **Evaluating a Potential Trade**
The Bulls may consider trade options for some of their core players, especially veterans like **DeMar DeRozan** or **Nikola Vučević**, if the front office decides to shift toward a rebuild. Acquiring young talent or draft picks could accelerate their long-term strategy. There have been rumors in the past about potential moves involving LaVine, but it would likely require a significant offer.
### 3. **Developing Young Talent**
Chicago might focus on further developing their young players, such as **Coby White**, **Patrick Williams**, and now **Talen Horton-Tucker**. If the Bulls prioritize player development this season, they could shift more minutes to their younger core, allowing them to gain experience and potentially emerge as future cornerstones of the team.
### 4. **Exploring the Point Guard Position**
With **Lonzo Ball** still sidelined due to injury, the Bulls may need to address the point guard position. They could look for a veteran guard to stabilize the team or give more opportunities to **Ayo Dosunmu** and **Jevon Carter**. Adding depth in the backcourt could help balance the roster and improve their chances of staying competitive throughout the season.
Overall, the Bulls’ next move will likely depend on whether they choose to continue pushing for a playoff spot with their current core or pivot toward a rebuild by focusing on developing younger talent and acquiring future assets.