Nick Young warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 10, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/Jason Miller)
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new era following the retirement of Kobe Bryant last season. However, the latest rumors imply that Nick Young might not be part of it since he will be waived by the Lakers if they cannot find any takers for him.
Young recently made headlines when he revealed to the media that he is trying to mend fences with D'Angelo Russell. The relationship of the two deteriorated following the whole Snapchat, Iggy Azalea, cheating situation.
However, the 31-year-old might not have the time to mend fences since he might not be with the Lakers when the season starts. According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, the Lakers have been trying to trade Young this offseason.
And if the Lakers cannot find a trade partner, Swaggy P will be released via the stretch provision. All teams have until the August 31 deadline to release players using the stretch provision.
"I would frankly be surprised if Nick Young was on the Lakers' roster at the start of the season. They've been trying to trade him for a while. They're still trying to trade him. They are willing to even buy him out if necessary to move on," Ding said.
According to James Herbert of CBS Sports, Young only brings three-point shooting to the Lakers and he is not an ideal part of the team's rebuilding. He is not known for being a team player and does not play any good defense, which are both required in the style of new head coach Luke Walton.
In three seasons with the Lakers, Swaggy P averages 13.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and shot 36.3 percent from threes. He has been in the NBA for nine years and his shooting is something that can help several teams.
On the other hand, the Lakers are already stacked with young guns but they are not a playoff team. They have a great future with Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram. The Lakers are projected to be the worst team in the Western Conference.
However, it could net the Lakers a top pick in next year's loaded NBA draft. If releasing Nick Young helps in the development of the team's young players, the Lakers will do it.
Check out the video below for some of the best moments of Young's career with the Lakers.
