Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Matisse Thybulle rises, Sixers grab scorer

Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 20. Talen Horton-Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers don’t have the luxury of re-drafting Matisse Thybulle, so instead we get funky. Talen Horton-Tucker’s minutes have been limited in LA, where LeBron James (and now Russell Westbrook) suck up a lot of airspace offensively. Even so, he has done enough to earn a three-year, $31 million extension with a player option in the final season. The Lakers clearly believe in him.

For the Sixers, Horton-Tucker would bring much-needed shot creation to the second unit. He’s not a shooter, but he does score it. He’s 6-foot-4 with broad shoulders and pterodactyl arms, playing much bigger than his size. With off-beat jumpers, strong-armed drives to the rim, and a deep back of tricks, Horton-Tucker is a uniquely gifted scorer. He would add more dynamism to the second unit and the offense at large. The shooting is a concern (only 28.2 percent from deep last season), but hey, he’s replacing Thybulle and Ben Simmons is halfway out the door.

With his physical tools, Horton-Tucker should be a rock-solid defender in time. He can guard multiple positions, giving the Sixers some lineup optionality. You can slot THT at the two or the four. If the 3-point becomes even remotely reliable — especially if he can get down his pull-up 3 — then Horton-Tucker probably outperforms this spot.