Lakers’ Nick Young More Assured About Future In L.A.
By Alan Huerta
After an off-season full of trade rumors, it appears Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young is set to remain in Los Angeles when the 2015-16 season begins.
Young recently met with general manager Mitch Kupchak and apparently feels comfortable that he will be on the Lakers roster at the start of the season. According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
"“It is not entirely clear what Young and Kupchak addressed in their meeting. It is typical for Kupchak to meet with players to discuss both professional and private issues. But the conversation at least left Young feeling comfortable enough that he will enter the 2015-16 season on the Lakers’ roster, according to a source familiar with his thinking.”"
Young is coming off a subpar season (to say the least) where he averaged 13.4 points and a career-low 36.6-percent shooting; playing only 42 games after signing a four-year, $21.5 contract last summer.
Coming into the off-season, the Lakers seemed likely to trade Young since he’s still owed $15.6 million to go along with the numerous issues he’s had with head coach Byron Scott. The issues varied from Young’s inconsistency, his inability to meet Scott’s coaching style demands and his post-game interview antics that even bothered 19-year veteran superstar Kobe Bryant. However, unfortunately for the Lakers, the team couldn’t find a team interested in sending the former USC Trojan out of Los Angeles.
Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) and head coach Byron Scott during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Then came the signing of reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams. Williams, who surprisingly elected to leave the Toronto Raptors for less money with the Lakers, is coming off his best season where he averaged 15.5 PPG and created instant offense for Toronto’s second unit. At this point, Young’s departure seemed inevitable with both players having similar styles of play on the offensive end.
However, the team has elected to keep Young, which seems like the right move since the Lakers lack depth at the small forward position. With the new, young backcourt in D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, the team is probable to start Bryant at small forward.
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At the start of the off-season, I wrote on the improvements coach Scott had told Young he wanted to see in him next season — CLICK HERE — which included adjustments on both ends of the floor. Although the veteran forward does have his work cut out for him, I don’t believe it’s out of reach for him to remain a member of the purple and gold for years to come.
I do believe, however, that if Young is putting the time to improve this summer, not only will he prove himself once training camp starts, but he’ll find a way to co-exist with the second unit (Lou Williams, in particular) and return to the old ‘Swaggy P’ that we all loved when he joined the team in 2013 (career-high 17.9 PPG).
Only time will tell.