Nick Young (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers continue to figure in NBA trade rumors as teams are interested in their young core. However, the one they're actually trying to trade has not had a warm reception.
Despite his expressed desire to patch things up with Lakers' point guard of the future D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers still intend to trade him or even buy him out as Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report mentioned in a video (transcription from Lakers Outsiders).
"They have been trying to trade him for a while," Ding said. "They are still trying to trade him. They are willing to even buy him out if necessary to move on."
It has not been easy to find a destination for Young because it's not just his offcourt issues, his play on the court has deteriorated. It's clear that the Lakers have already addressed their small forward position with rookie Brandon Ingram and veteran Luol Deng. They also want a new culture for their young core and Young simply does not have a place in that.
"Unless they get the feeling that Nick is the perfect fit for Luke Walton's offense, then they should give him a prime role," Ding said. "But Nick has not given them the reason to believe that."
It is really a challenge to find a taker for that type of player, but they might find an unexpected ally in their arch-rival on the East, the Boston Celtics.
The Celts have their own dilemma with James Young and RJ Hunter. According to Keith Smith of Celtics Blog, the team could save money if they trade the two players for Nick Young and eventually waive the former Laker using the stretch provision.
"The Celtics would save about $800k for this season if they waived and stretched Young by 8/31. If they waived/stretched Young after 8/31, his full 16-17 salary counts on the books, and they could stretch the 17-18 salary over 3 years. The difference is that before 8/31 a team can waive/stretch Young over 5 years (2 years left on his deal x 2 + 1 season = 5). After 8/31 they can only do 3 years (1 year left x 2 + 1 = 3)."
It's complicated and not worth a lot but for the Celtics, the Lakers might be willing to throw conditional second round picks to rid themselves of Swaggy P. This is a minor trade but it does solve some issues for both teams.
