Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (L) drives past Houston Rockets' Corey Brewer. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to streamline their roster in preparation for superstar Kobe Bryant's retirement at the end of the season and one of the players emerging as a possible trade candidate before the February deadline is small forward Nick Young.
Young had reportedly been on the Lakers' trading block since the start of the offseason, but the team was having difficulty finding teams that are interested in the 30-year-old scorer.
In 31 games so far this season, Young's production have "dropped to near career lows", Bleacher Report's David Murphy said, as he had mainly been playing backup to the farewell-touring Bryant at the no. 3 spot and at the same time being drowned by the presence of fellow off-the-bench scorer Lou Williams.
Young and Williams have similar roles and playing styles and it is the latter who seems to be getting head coach Byron Scott's favor, which further escalates the rumor that he will be dealt any time before this midseason's trade deadline.
One of the rumored potential destinations for Young is the New Orleans Pelicans, who is currently third from last place in the Western Conference with an 11-22 record and is searching for a lights-out shooter who can come off their bench.
Young's resume perfectly fits the Pelicans' demands, as indicated by Fansided's Eric Yee.
Yee said that "conventional wisdom says that the best defense is a good offense, and Nick Young is proven instant offense".
Currently, New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry is using undrafted player Alonzo Gee as his starting small forward and other than Eric Gordon, the team has no reliable outside shooter that could rack up the triples when needed.
Young would be an instant upgrade at the spot if Gentry decides to start him and would stabilize second unit scoring if he decides to use him off the bench.
