Lakers rumors: Which veteran is best to trade before deadline?

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Feb 2, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks with Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) after the game at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards won 116 – 108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Young

Age: 31

Exp: 9 years

Position: Shooting guard

Salary: $5.4M

Talk about a guy that turned a lot of things around and in the right direction late in his career. Last year, due to off-the-court drama with then-rookie D’Angelo Russell, almost everyone saw the end coming for Nick Young.

Except for Nick Young, of course.

This season, he’s exploded to be one of the veterans that can mesh with the young core if not traded. That being said, however, that also makes him a possibility to be moved if the front office figures that it’s for the best interest of the team in the long run.

Nick Young on 4th qtr comeback: “Just started playing hard, playing with energy. The momentum shifted. Lou made a lot of big shots too.”
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) February 15, 2017

It’s not all bad news for Young, though.

The former USC star was invited to this year’s three-point contest and has been putting up an average of just under 14 points per game. Los Angeles could get decent return with just Young, but their best bang for their buck would be having Young in a package deal.

His salary shouldn’t concern a lot of teams, as you could argue, based on his performance this season, that he’s earned it.

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