Los Angeles Lakers News & Rumors: Nick Young Won’t Be Traded Before 2015-16 NBA Season
The Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly looking to trade Nick Young this summer, but reports indicated the veteran shooting guard is now off the trading block.
The Lakers, who made several moves to improve their roster this offseason, reportedly shopped Young after striking a deal with veteran guard Lou Williams and picking D'Angelo Russell second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Young, who still has three years left on the four-year deal worth $21.32 million he signed last year, was placed on the block earlier in the offseason as the Lakers were looking to create cap room in the hope of signing big-name free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.
But now that their top targets this summer are out of the market after signing deals with their rival teams, Bill Oram of the OC Register revealed that the Lakers now have no plans to trade Young before the season.
"Heard today Lakers have no plans to trade Nick Young. Called around seeking suitors so they could clear cap room quickly. Didn't materialize," Oram wrote on Twitter.
Young averaged 13.4 points on career-low 36.6 percent shooting from the field last season on top of just 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 42 games.
With the arrival of Williams and Russell, combined with the return of Kobe Bryant and emergence of incoming second-year guard Jordan Clarkson, it remains to be seen what role Young will play next season.
Williams, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season after averaging 15.5 points on top of 2.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds with the Toronto Raptors, is expected to be the first player off the bench next season.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Young also had clashes with Lakers coach Byron Scott last season because of his playful personality and lack of dedication, particularly on defense and practice.
When asked about the possible role of Young, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, though, that the 30-year-old guard could play a crucial role, but he pointed out the eight-year veteran should buy into the system of Scott and their coaching staff.
"I do see him being a core player this year," Kupchak said of Young. "He has to convince our coaching staff he can play within the system. That doesn't only mean score the ball. That means defending and doing the little things, which I know he can do."
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