chicago bulls talen horton tucker Talen Horton-Tucker, the dynamic guard with a rollercoaster NBA career, is heading back to his roots in Chicago, albeit likely through the G-League rather than the NBA’s main stage. Horton-Tucker has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Chicago Bulls, a deal that promises an intriguing preseason storyline for the Windy City native.
The contract, confirmed by Shams Charania of The Athletic and K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, allows Horton-Tucker to join the Bulls’ training camp with the possibility of securing a spot on the roster or receiving a bonus of up to $77,500 if he ends up with the Windy City Bulls, the team’s G-League affiliate.
Chicago roster situation is complex, with 14 guaranteed contracts already in place and a partially guaranteed deal for Onuralp Bitim. This leaves one open roster spot, which the Bulls are expected to keep vacant for flexibility and financial reasons. Additionally, the team has an open two-way contract that Horton-Tucker will vie for against Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Horton-Tucker, a former Simeon Career Academy standout and Iowa State alum, was originally a second-round pick of the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he quickly became a part of the team’s lore. The Lakers, in their quest to build a championship contender, chose to keep Horton-Tucker over Alex Caruso in 2021. However, his fortunes shifted as he was later traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Patrick Beverley.
While Horton-Tucker athleticism is undeniable expect to see some jaw-dropping plays during camp his decision-making has been a point of contention. Last season with Utah, he started as the team’s point guard but struggled with efficiency and shot selection, leading to a reduced role. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.5 assists but shot below 40% from the field, resulting in a disappointing 50.3 true shooting percentage.
As Horton-Tucker returns to his hometown, Chicago Bulls fans can look forward to seeing whether his raw talent can be harnessed effectively. With training camp on the horizon, all eyes will be on THT as he aims to make a case for a roster spot and potentially revive his career with the Bulls.
