Once a Los Angeles Lakers darling, Talen Horton-Tucker is on his way out of the NBA. That is the same player Rob Pelinka chose to prioritize over beloved role player Alex Caruso.
Donatas Urbonas reported, "EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce Istanbul are finalizing a deal with six-year NBA guard Talen Horton-Tucker, sources tell BasketNews."
Urbonas did clarify in his report that the Horton-Tucker deal is not quite done yet. The former Lakers guard is still leaving himself the opportunity to find a spot on an NBA roster before fully committing to the European move.
However, Urbonas noted if that opportunity does not present itself then Horton-Tucker is fully expected to begin his career overseas. While playing in Europe does still prove a certain level of skill possessed by a player, it is nonetheless a fall from grace for the man who cost the Lakers an infinitely more reliable NBA-level contributor.
Alex Caruso continues to be the one that got away from Rob Pelinka
After choosing to retain Horton-Tucker, the Lakers gave him every opportunity to carve out his future with the team. The now 24-year-old never fully repaid the faith that was bestowed in him.
Pelinka and the front office were forced to cut their losses while the young guard still had some trade value. Horton-Tucker was shipped away to the Utah Jazz as a part of a package for Patrick Beverley, who similarly proved disappointing during his time in Los Angeles.
Caruso, who had shown plenty of moments as a reliable and consistent role player for the Lakers during their 2019-20 championship season, exited from the team in the 2021 offseason. The tremendous supporting act found a home in the Eastern Conference, signing with the Chicago Bulls.
Caruso was handed a four-year deal by the Bulls in a rare moment of front office competency from their franchise. The former Laker continued to prove his worth at the NBA level thereafter.
After fully establishing himself as an All-NBA caliber defender, the Bulls capitalized on his trade value and sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was there that Caruso played a pivotal role in securing the first championship in Thunder history since relocating. It was the second of his career.
Alex Caruso’s defensive masterclass performance in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/djHSl74b6V
— Thunder TV (@Thunder3peat) August 29, 2025
Watching Caruso blossom into the quintessential 3-and-D role player in the NBA was not an easy task for fans in Los Angeles. This is especially true considering the Lakers continue to lack roster members built in that exact mold.
Not only would Caruso have continued to be a perfect compliment to the LeBron James and Anthony Davis timeline in Los Angeles, but the two-way menace would have been equally desirable next to Luka Doncic. The gravity of Pelinka's decision continues to haunt the Lakers.
Caruso will start 2025-26 as a member of the Lakers' biggest obstacle to a championship in 2025-26. In another timeline, the defensive mastermind would have been an incredible contributor for the team to this day. Pelinka choosing Horton-Tucker cost them that.