Nick Young (Photo : Getty Images)
Nick Young has been linked to several trade rumors, but his exit could be real this time as Swaggy P looks unhappy with his minor role in LA.
Young received his third Did Not Play - Coaches Decision in his last four games and the shooting guard does not seem too thrilled about his minutes on the Lakers bench.
Head coach Byron Scott confirmed that he is planning to sit Young for a couple of more games, and Mark Medina of the LA Daily News thinks "it's only a matter of time before this becomes an issue."
However, it may have already been an issue for the Lakers though, as the team is now looking to "move on" from Young, according to Mike Ortiz Jr of DYST Now.
Eric Yee of Lake Show Life proposed a deal that would send Young to the New Orleans Pelicans, although the report did not mention any other trade pieces involved.
The Pelicans currently have the second-worst record in the Western Conference with a 5-16 record.
Fans have expected the Pelicans to do well this year after reaching the playoffs last season, but injuries and lack of chemistry have forced them to a slow start.
According to Yee, the Pelicans are 13th overall in scoring and last overall in points allowed at 108.9 points per game.
Moreover, the Pelicans only have Alonzo Gee and Eric Gordon at the shooting guard position, and other than those players, New Orleans have no other SG listed in their rotation.
Yee wrote: "The drop off in points from starters downwards is significant: Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson hover right around 20 points per game apiece, then Ish Smith and Jrue Holiday are good for around 11 points per contest, but after that the scoring falls off."
This is where Young enters.
Prior to his benching, Young averaged more than 12 points per game for the Lakers second unit.
It is worth noting that Young only averages a little more than 20 minutes per contest, which means if given more time on the court, his production could increase.
Young would be an instant boost off the bench for the Pelicans and arguably an upgrade over the likes of Luke Babbit, Dante Cunningham, and Gee, who have yet to make solid contributions for the Pels.
It would be difficult for the Lakers to orchestrate an exchange for Young, but ESPN's Trade Machine approved a transaction of Swaggy P and Robert Sacre for Ryan Anderson.
The Lakers may not have a place for Anderson as the 16-time NBA champs are heading to rebuild for next season. However, LA could certainly deal Young if other NBA teams offer the right price.
