Jazz Officially Renounce Free Agent Rights To Talen Horton-Tucker, Kira Lewis Jr.

The Utah Jazz have officially renounced their free-agent exception rights to guard/forward Talen Horton-Tucker and point guard Kira Lewis Jr., per the RealGM transactions log.

These moves were considered formalities as both players have already been exploring their options as unrestricted free agents. But the Jazz needed to make them official to re-sign and extend the contract of star forward Lauri Markkanen.

The Markkanen extension is also now official. The deal is reportedly for five years and $238 million. 

Horton-Tucker, 23, has played for the Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 56 appearances with Utah last season, shooting 39.6% from the field and 33.0% from beyond the arc.

He reportedly has drawn only minimal interest as a free agent, per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

Lewis, 23, appeared in 28 games total last season with the Jazz, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans (12 with the Jazz), averaging 3.2 points and 1.3 assists. He was selected with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

With the move, the Jazz no longer hold any Bird rights on Horton-Tucker or Lewis.

Meanwhile, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and general manager Justin Zanik each released a statement on the agreement with Markkanen. 

“Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player makes our team better,” Ainge said. “He embodies our team’s core values on and off the court. We’re glad that he wants to be a part of our future and what we’re building here in Utah.”

Added Zanik: “Lauri’s combination of size, skill, and shooting is really unique, and he’s proved he’s an All-Star level player with his improvement over the past two seasons. We’re excited that he shares the same vision of what our team can be long-term and to have him not only as a building block for the Jazz, but also as a member of the Utah community for years to come, is huge.”