The volatile draft stock of the Iowa State Cyclones ultra-talented guard Talen Horton-Tucker of late could finally steady out at the NBA Combine. A solid freshman campaign with Iowa State exposed a lot of the strengths and flaws of Horton-Tucker. A bigger body of work might’ve done him well, but that’s not the course of his college hoops career by now.
The ESPN 2019 NBA Draft Big Board ranks Horton-Tucker as the No. 21 prospect in this draft class. He’s projected to go anywhere between the back end of the lottery in the first round to the middle of the second round. That’s what makes an event as big as the NBA Combine so pivotal for Horton-Tucker.
During his true freshman campaign with Iowa State, Horton-Tucker averaged 11.8 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. He is a well-rounded player that is likely to develop into a good rotational piece. What we need to watch in the NBA Combine for Horton-Tucker is the measurables and tests that would benefit his offensive progression.
Yet, the only way that the Chicago Bulls would have any relevance to Horton-Tucker is if he slips into the early second round pick conversation. This could wind up becoming a reality if the interest in Horton-Tucker doesn’t pick up soon. That’s why it is so important for the Bulls to understand if the promising young guard is worth the risk at that point in the draft.