I have long assumed Young will not be on the opening night roster. This idea has been backed up with reports the Lakers would either trade him or release him outright at some point this summer. After the off-court/locker room drama and additions to the roster at SF, it’s difficult to see how Young fits moving forward.
Actually ridding themselves of Young, however, isn’t quite as simple as anyone would like it to be.
Trading Young will be very difficult. In the very least, any deal which moves him almost surely has the Lakers operating from a deficit of want which changes calculus how a deal gets done.
Young has 2 years left on his contract, with the 2nd being a player option. While spending is out of control, Young’s reputation precedes him and I am doubtful he will make more on the open market than what is guaranteed to him. Any team acquiring Young must assume, then, he picks up his option which makes his contract undesirable. I would guess the Lakers would need to attach an asset to Young in any deal shipping him out. One of picks received in the trade for Calderon might be enough.
On the other side of the coin, releasing Young means eating money. If released using the Stretch Provision, the Lakers would be spread out the cap hit of what Young is owed in salary by muliplying the number of years left on his deal by 2 and adding 1 (making it a 5 year softening of the hit). With this approach, the Lakers can open up roughly $3 million in cap space this summer.
If they negotiate a straight buyout, the amount agreed to is then charged against the team’s cap. Because Young has two year’s left on his deal, whatever the buyout amount is will hit the Lakers’ cap over the next two seasons. I will let Larry Coon explain:
…all contracts with player options contain a clause indicating whether the player receives his salary for the option year in the event he is waived before the option is picked-up. This clause states that the benefit is “to the same extent” as if the option had been exercised. The league interprets this to mean that the team salary is charged to all seasons of the contract, including the unexercised option season. For example, when Derek Fisher was waived by the Houston Rockets during the 2011-12 season, his player option for the 2012-13 season was unexercised. His remaining guaranteed salary (he agreed to take less in a buyout arrangement) was charged to the Rockets’ cap in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The example Coon cites for Derek Fisher would also apply to Young. Considering the Lakers are likely to again try to chase expensive talent in free agency next summer, the prospect of having too much dead money tied up in Nick Young is not ideal.
This brings me back to the original question — what happens with Nick Young? There are really only 4 options:
1. Nothing. He remains on the team and is on the roster when the season starts in late October.
2. Trade him, likely by including an asset with him to entice teams to take on his deal. No player contract is untradeable, and this is why. If the Lakers sweeten the pot enough, another team will bit.
3. Waive him via the stretch provision. This will smooth out the cap hit over the next 5 seasons and reduce his cap hold in the process. However, his cap hit remains on the books for 5 more seasons at the amount of roughly $2.22 million per season.
4. Buy him out. If he agrees to a lesser amount than he is owed, you already save some money in the long run. Buying him out also shortens the length of time dead money is on the books to only 2 seasons. Further, if Young signs a contract with another team after being waived, there is an equation which lessens their cap hit for any amount he is paid over the minimum. I won’t get into those details here, but you can read the link above to Coon’s CBA FAQ for more details.
If I had to chose an option, I’d probably try to trade him, even if it cost a 2nd round pick. That’s not ideal — especially since the Lakers still owe 2 of their 3 next 1st rounders to Philly and Orlando respectively. Having extra 2nd rounders helps lessen that blow somewhat. But 2nd rounders can always be bought like the Lakers did with the selection which became Jordan Clarkson.
If the Lakers cannot make a trade, though, my next preferred choice would be to buy him out with the caveat being I try to lower the buyout number considerably. Young, of course, has little incentive to take less. But if he’s told straight up that he has no role on next year’s team and that he’ll simply waste away on the bench, maybe that becomes the carrot.
In all honesty, though, none of these options are desirable. As I wrote when Young signed his deal, I thought the contract was too long and this is coming into play now. If Young only had one year left on his deal, waiving him outright would easily be the best option. With the spike in cap and the fact the team still has money to spend this summer, they can afford that cap hit this season.
But that’s not the case. Young is signed and nothing is changing that now. Now it’s time for the Lakers to figure out how to move on from him.
—
UPDATE: There is, apparently, an option which I missed regarding Young’s future. Let’s call this option 2A. Friend of the site Andrew Ungvari (@drewunga), reminded me of Ty Lawson’s situation from last summer when he was traded from the Nuggets to the Rockets. As you may recall, Lawson had been arrested for driving under the influence and his time in Denver was going to end one way or another.
Like Young, Lawson was heading into the season with two years left on his contract, with the 2nd being a player option. As a condition of his trade, Lawson agreed to turn his player option year into a non-guaranteed year. This lessened the salary risk for the Rockets who then facilitated the trade with the Nuggets to take a chance on Lawson. That chance did not work out and Lawson did not finish the year in Houston. He agreed to a buyout in March and ended up with the Pacers where he was used sparingly. He is now a free agent.
Getting back to Young, one has to wonder if he would agree to alter his contract in this manner, but it may be worth a discussion with him. While an argument could be made Young could find a role on this version of the Lakers, I would imagine the likelihood of him returning to the rotation are slim. Young, however, wants to play. All these guys do. A discussion between the team, Young, and his agent where potential landing spots are sought out might be in everyone’s best interests.
I will not speculate on where Young could go or who might take a chance on him should he actually decide to alter his player option. That is, after all, a lot of “ifs”. That said, it is another option on the table and, all things being equal, might help grease the rails for a cleaner, more amicable, exit.
Lakers Man says
I say call him in the office and sit he and Russell down for a chat. See if there’s a way for them to coexist. They don’t have to be friends, just play ball. We’re forgetting, Nick played his best basketball in this type of system the Luke will implement. When Nick is hot, he’s as deadly as anyone, and could be another asset/weapon off the bench. I say start the season and see how it goes…he can always be traded later if it still doesn’t workout. Remember D’LO is willing to bury the problem, it would be up to Nick to agree.
lukino75 says
No second chances please. Trade or buy out. He is like gangrene in the locker room.
Clay Bertrand says
First off, I think its completely stupid to ANNOUNCE publicly or allow it to be portrayed that a player will EITHER BE TRADED OR RELEASED prior to the start of the season. That nice little unnecessary announcement just completely obliterated any leverage that might exist to work a trade. So whoever came up with that idea should have their fingernails ripped out.
It isn’t all in the team’s handling of the situation though by a long shot. Even beyond the Russell Snap Chat posting, Nick himself has done nothing to suggest he is focusing on basketball or being a potential usable player for the Lakers at all going forward. Nick’s ability and his modest contract should translate to being a BARGAIN with the new financial reality. He is just choosing to go down with the ship that is his reputation and he seems to just be letting his value plummet without concern.
Nick for some reason has relegated himself to total CLOWN status. What a time to be a fool. His agent should have fired him as a client by now. Instead of trying to remake his image somewhat and improving his overall game in the off season, he is having house parties, impregnating his ex, lighting illegal fireworks while holding them above his head (had it gone off we wouldn’t even be having this discussion) and posting everything BUT basketball related items on his social media.
In a time where guys 2-3 years removed from the league are fighting to get back in because of the windfall of money flying around; when role players are making double digit millions; when owners are climbing over each other to hand out contracts to anyone of any reasonable perceived basketball use, Nick Young is content to be persona non grata in the Laker realm, the Clown Prince of social media, a back page TMZ regular and a D list LA celebrity.
Why not try to lay low and just post work out stuff and try to repair your image as a basketball professional?? The 3 ball in modern basketball is the trending offensive weapon. When a guy whose main basketball strength is shooting 3s has to cling to his player option for a $5 million contract because he’d NEVER make more than that figure on the current MONETARILY INSANE open Free Agent market, you’d THINK his agent would help him tailor his off season to keep himself in that huge money pool. Instead, he’d rather just keep being be Swaggy P.
Who knew the P stood for “P”ISSING AWAY HIS CAREER.
Lakers Future says
Lakers Man
I think whatever Nick brings in basketball he overshadows it with bad habits and immaturity. When trying to build a culture from the ground up the last thing a team needs is a guy like Young. When “confession-gate” happened last season I couldn’t believe Young was dumb enough to even put himself in that position. When the team was actively trying to lose Young was at times a welcome distraction. But now its time to move on.
SargentScott says
Nick has more value in Luke’s system than Byron’s. He did great in D’Antoni’s and was up for 6th man of the year.
3 point & mid-range shooters will be needed. Use Swaggy and get his value up.
He can spread the floor with the 2nd unit and average 10+ points. He would open the inside to help Zubac & Tariq develop
If he does good than decide to keep or trade.
AnonLakerFan says
Clay Bertrand I wonder if there is any type of potential for redemption here. Even Ron Artest came back from the brink of being banned as a player. This is why I think the team will not release him now. They will give him a very short leash and the moment he tugs it, he will be removed from the team, made inactive, and subsequently bought out.
fern16 says
No need to overthink this. They need to get rid of him ASAP.
KevTheBold says
From the coaching staff down to all of the players we have on the roster so far, he is out of step in not only the ethics of hard working basketball professionalism, but in his personal life. In those areas, he does not fit in and will either be ostracized, or influence, and neither one of those is positive for the cohesiveness of this new and rebuilding team; which by the way, is placing development over the aspects of winning meaningless games in a cost to our future self image.
Therefore, any positives in scoring from Nick, {when he’s not throwing bricks} is totally outweighed as an anvil is to a feather.
samla says
nick young cant be on this team — Either as the bait to get Westbrook or as a foundational centerpiece of the team going forward — Nick Young cant be allowed near DLO either way
I am totally on board with the lakers realizing that they aren’t ready to attract tier one free agents and instead bringing in high character, hard working true professionals to help win a few more games but more importantly mentor and seve as role models for the young guys
Case closed in my mind — and Clay Bertrand is right — if you cant behave with all the money being thrown around out there that you could capitalize on — just stay away
Alexander_ says
The development of DAR is too important to let a lingering fool become an ongoing locker room distraction targeted specifically at our best young player, potentially on the verge of a breakout season. Nick is damaged enough to be hard to trade today, but as the FA market dries up, just like last call hours at a bar, he may start looking attractive enough.
I am also concerned about Lou’s overly strong stance against DAR. For that alone, I would trade them both, especially with Calderon, a statistically similar player to Lou, on the roster. My preferred partner would be both to the Pelicans for Tyreke Evans’ expiring contract. Tyreke is coming off another surgery, and it’s unknown how healthy he will be/stay. If he’s not, he’s a dead weight on their roster. If he recovers during the year, they’ll probably lose him in 2017. With Lou, they get a similar player at a lesser contract for two years, and even if NYoung does not work out, it’s a push value-wise. If he does pan out, it becomes a very good deal for them.
For us, if Tyreke can’t play, it all comes off the books next year, where we’ll try to use our 1-max cap room for an elite guard. If Tyreke works out, he’s a capable NBA player and still young at 26.
_ Robert _ says
Never liked this contract or this player. Time to go. Williams needs to go too.
“Trading Young will be very difficult.” Indeed. That is why you think long and hard before signing anyone to this lenghth of contract. We just did this twice over this summer, and the same statement will one day be made about both of those deals “Trading Mosgov/Deng will be very difficult.”
Alexander_ says
Question – If Young is waived and stretched while also picked up on waivers by another team, does his new team salary lessen the amount to stretch over 5?
MT87 says
I quite like the idea of stretching him. With the cap exploding, 2.2m a year for five years is not a lot to have sitting on your books. I’d be fine with buying him out too. Just get him off the team. He’s a bad influence.
LT Mitchell says
The moral high horse police are out in full force today. I hate to break it to you guys, but DAR is young, single, and is the starting PG for the Hollywood Lakers. He’s going to hang with the Hollywood crowd whether Nick Young is on the team or not. He’s going to have women throw themselves at him with or without Nick Young. Go ask Magic. If you think DAR is going to turn Amish as soon as Young is traded, you are sadly mistaken. Someone mentioned that Nick threw a house party. That evil Nick had the nerve to throw a party. How dare he! If you are concerned about his infedelity, you are a fan of the wrong sport.
As far Nick Young, the basketball player, is concerned, I haven’t heard anything negative about his work ethic. That’s something I would be concerned about when it comes to influencing his teammates. From what I’ve seen, he seems to be a team guy who always has his teammates ‘back. I’m not a fan of his chucking and no defense philosophy but that’s the player the front office knowingly signed on board. It’s not his fault the front office signed another chucking no D player in Lou.
I agree with the poster who thinks Nick just might have a role in this offense. If Brown continues to miss all his threes, there might be some available minutes for Young.
Lou2 says
LT Mitchell I agree. Fan memory is short. Nick was an effective player. He can be again. The new coaching staff should see how he fits.
The private lives of the players should not be part of our concerns because we have no real knowledge of what is going on or how it affects the team.
Clay Bertrand says
LT Mitchell
“Someone mentioned that Nick threw a house party. That evil Nick had the nerve to throw a party. How dare he!”
____________________________________________
I’m the someone who said that Nick threw a House Party. It was said in the context of how he himself adds to the perception that he isn’t serious about his basketball career because he prefers to Clown around and be a “famous person” and an L.A. Character. He himself isn’t selling himself as a professional worthy of his contract OR ANY FUTURE CONTRACT. He’s only famous because he plays basketball for the Lakers. But he puts the “famous” ahead of the “basketball.”
I couldn’t care less what the guy does to party or how many chicks he’s with. Its just that its ALL you see of him. The people who sign basketball players to big money contracts who are already put off by his declined and one dimensional game are not going to be enamored with his BS Tabloid fame and his fireworks antics. Perception is everything and while he is no Johnny Manziel, he has done himself no favors. How bout Nick posts a pick of himself shooting or in the weight room with a caption saying “Gettin some work in…..”???? Does he HAVE to do that?? No. But it would sure make him look to be more dedicated to his craft and look like a guy you want to invest in.
If you perceive Nick as having a good work ethic, I ask you WHAT does he work on??? Because he has regressed to the point that ALL HE DOES his shoot contested 3s. He used to do other things. Nick used to be a decent dunker and was able to draw fouls getting to the rim ALONG WITH his jump shooting. These days, he’s a lazy ISO player whose main gimmicky skill is trying to convert 4 point plays and he has to precede those shots with 10 seconds of offense killing dribbling. He can’t even Catch and Shoot!!!
By the way, Nick is 31. He could easily play 3-4 years more if he marketed himself right and focused on what he can bring in the modern NBA. Then MAYBE we could find someone who might want to trade for him.
HaleHailHell says
LT Mitchell fwiw, I do agree fully with your post. Until any Laker is not a Laker, I want them to do well (despite my various whipping boys and biases). And all of this white knight crap is more irritating than his Swaggy schtick. I don’t care who the dude is drilling as long as he’s drilling his 3s. If he fits the new system and performs, plug him in.
joe_dhoe says
With the new system in place with Luke Walton I think swaggy p is still valuable to the roster. yes his play has been lackluster these past few years but I’m hoping this year changes
George11Best says
I’d give him a chance with the second unit before I trade him and certainly wouldn’t give up an asset to get rid of him. His salary is cheap. If you are going to have to pay him you keep him. Can anyone name the last guy on most NBA teams? That’s where he will be and maybe he will try to work his way into some minutes.
KevTheBold says
LT Mitchell
Disagree.
We aren’t simply talking private lives, but how they affect a young and impressionable core.
Thanks for mentioning Magic, as his story illustrates our point in how it ended his career and could have killed him.
That however is a side issue, the main one is the video factor that caused a rift between Russell on one side and Nick, and Lou on the other; and is one that could have a negative affect on team chemistry in the locker room and on the court.
These players all need to be one solid, cohesive unit of close brothers going forward, and any risk to that unity, is not worth keeping one or two players who’s ages and services don’t necessarily fit, nor are required at this rebuilding point in our progress level.
No, Nick are Lou would better serve a near or post playoff team which needs a sixth man to push them over the edge.
Our sixth man will come from our core, when we reach that point in our standings, which are a couple of years away.
Vasheed says
I think the Lakers need to get rid of Young. The Suns looked like an upcoming team. Then Morris demanded to be traded. The Suns refused to trade him and he became a cancer in the locker room for the next year. I would favor either packaging him with another player like Williams or with a 2nd round pick and cash considerations.
Clay Bertrand says
Lou2 LT Mitchell
If the private lives
of the players add to the team not being able to trade them, that is a problem.
That is something that adds to the problem with Nick as I see it.
It’s almost like he is trying to lower his own value so he can stay.
We are trying to RID
OURSELVES of the bad taste of the past three years and usher in a new chapter, a
new philosophy and a changed culture. No one is harkening back to the
D’Antoni Glory Days longing for that brand of pure crap basketball where Nick
thrived as a hired gun chucker. If that is what you mean by his being
“an effective player”, you may have gone NOSEBLIND as to the odor of
the last 3 years.
If he was worth a crap,
he could be moved in a heartbeat because his contract is palatable were he indeed an “effective” player. That
is not the case at this point.
Clay Bertrand says
Vasheed
I think Nick could be moved for another team’s bad contract easier than for nothing in return. I keep thinking Sacramento. The sharpest GMs will NOT be lining up to add him to their rosters.
Vasheed says
Clay Bertrand Vasheed
Depending on the details I could live with that scenario. Although Daris in the article was looking for some cap relief.
Clay Bertrand says
KevTheBold LT Mitchell
Clearly players private lives play NO ROLE WHATSOEVER in how they perform on the court and should be totally ignored when evaluating them.
Signed,
Ty Lawson, Vin Baker, Eddie Griffin, Len Bias, Mitchell Wiggins, Blake Griffin, Chris Washburn, Javaris Crittenton etc.
KevTheBold says
HaleHailHell LT Mitchell
As opposed to the dark knight, coming to the aid of Nick?
Who, by the way is NOT drilling his 3s enough to justify his risk to team unity.
Clay Bertrand says
Vasheed Clay Bertrand
There is no perfect option really. We either lose:
1.) A roster spot (& gain potential chemistry issues) if he stays
2.) Cap Space for 3 years — under stretch provision
3.) Cap Space for 2 years — under buy out scenario
4.) An Asset such as a 2nd rounder we must attach to trade him
To me, IF we could pry away someone else’s “guy they’re trying to shed” and he was someone we could use, that’d be a possibly acceptable scenario.
Like a Tyreke Evans or a Kostas Koufos for example.
Alternatively, another way to unload Nick would be through a trade of opportunity such as being part of a multi team deal. Perhaps if Westbrook is moved this year, there will be a chance to offload him in the transaction?
He isn’t acting like he is trying to work his way back into the Lakers’ good graces. Luke Walton honestly looked almost irritated and dismissive when asked about Swaggy and the fireworks. As if he couldn’t care less about the guy because he isn’t gonna be here. That was how I took his tone anyway.
Clay Bertrand says
KevTheBold HaleHailHell LT Mitchell
From the looks of his women, ALL HE DRILLS ARE 3s!!!!!!!!!
(bad jokes are all I got goin tonight!!)
Clay Bertrand says
Damn, we play the Cavs tomorrow in Summerleague.
I was hoping for the Celtics. Beating Boston in the Playoffs is ALWAYS a good time even when we are playing for cardboard rings in the Vegas Summer League. Danny Ainge’s schadenfreude in any form is a sweet nectar indeed……..
_Craig W says
LT Mitchell I also agree that people are reacting to the last thing said or done. The organization will certainly try to trade Nick in most scenarios. However, to quote his work ethic over the last 2 years is a losing argument. I would seriously question his basketball and non-basketball IQ, but not his work ethic.
I think it is certain that Luke’s approach to offense will certainly fit Nick better than Byron’s, but the question will be – can he fit into a pass-first offense at all?
LAKER4LIFE says
I realize the difficulty but please he needs to go.. . One he played poorly, shoots bad, he’s too over confident worse it all he is a distraction and will be destruction to the chemistry of this team. Don’t trust a womanizer. You cant cross two rivers. my friend.
Mid Wilshire says
For those of you who are thinking that, somehow, Nick Young might “fit” into Luke Walton’s new offense, I think you might be mis-reading Luke’s intentions.
Although Luke would certainly be interested in retaining or developing 3-point shooters, as I understand it his offense is predicated more on ball movement via the pass which, if done right, is highly effective at finding the open man. Also, bear in mind that for the last 2 years Golden State has been one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. So, I’d be surprised if outstanding team defense isn’t also a major priority for Luke.
So, if quick, crisp ball movement + solid, responsible team defense are going to be the hallmarks of Luke’s new system, that hardly seems to describe Swaggy P’s strengths.
Furthermore, I personally believe that there is virtually no demand for Nick Young in the NBA among other GMs. If I were a betting man, I would guess that the Lakers would end up releasing Nick (and stretching his contract payments over 3 years, thus minimizing the cap hit) and leaving the last 2 roster spots completely open in case a new player or 2 have to be brought on to the squad because of injury. After all, as things stand now, the Lakers have a pretty full house.
There really appears to be no room on this roster for Nick Young. His days are probably numbered and I think he knows it. The bigger concern for Swaggy is this: will he still be in the league this next season if the Lakers part ways with him? He may not find a home at all. I believe his stock has dropped that far. Personally, I don’t wish him ill. But I think his career could be at the crossroads.
fern16 says
I don’t want to get rid of Nick Young on “morality” grounds. He just haven’t been a good basketball player the last 2 seasons. He threw a “house party” so freaking what? Is the offseason he can do whatever the hell he wants and almost burn himself with firecrackers. That “he is a cheater” newsflash!! 90-95% of NBA players are cheaters. Thats why i think that “high character” clichè is a load of hypocritical bull. I REALLY HATE that moniker. As long as a player shows up in time to practices and games and do what is required of him i dont give a rats ass how many “honeys” or “boos”or “sides” or baby mamas they have in every city. I want to get rid of Nick Young because HE SUCKS. Is as simple as that. And since DAR is more important for the Lakers future than Nick Young will ever be i hope they find a way to get rid of him if they can’t keep a civilized professional attitude around each other. And if they can’t he needs to be quiet and try to prove he is still useful.
Clay Bertrand says
Mid Wilshire
I agree with your assessment of his career. I also don’t hate Nick or wish him to do poorly. He was a source of positive energy during one of our worst times.
I almost see him almost unraveling a little bit post Iggy. Obviously that break up hurt him. He needs to get back to being an athlete and get back to being Nick Young again. His game is what is lacking moreso than his character in my book.
Clay Bertrand says
This is exactly what I was talking about when I mention all the crap Swaggy posts on his social media. All I’m saying is show some dedication and remember what your profession is!!!
And then after they read my post, Sports Academy tweeted and Nick retweeted the the pic on the top of his timeline linked below.
GET SOME SWAGGY!!!!!
https://twitter.com/NickSwagyPYoung?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
See, you don’t have to hold fireworks to get noticed!!
i_am_puddle says
Nick doesn’t rebound, he doesn’t pass, he doesn’t play defense. He does not add any type of mature, veteran presence to help the kids learn. He has one discernible skill, and that’s creating his own offense, and he doesn’t even do that well. His TS% is .483, good for 339th in the league behind such luminaries as Axel Toupane, Jakarr Sampson and Ish Smith. His WS/48 is .003. He’s on the wrong side of 30.
There is literally no redeeming value to him. Get his off this team ASAP, no matter what it takes.
Msway says
The lakers need to and must wipe the slate clean Here. The alternative is the perfect demonstration and example of how not to succeed in the professional ranks of the NBA. The idea that a young and personable prospect can and could be influenced by a life in the fast lane personality is probable, and 11 million is a much lower risk, when championship building.
matt24 says
Well since we let ryan kelly and sacre leave nick young is now officially the worst player on the roster
matt24 says
Did i really need to see that
matt24 says
Like I said before the addition of Calderón make nick young even more expendable now
matt24 says
The lakers have only one roster spot open, the one I would call the brandon bass spot.
The roster looks pretty set, all the youngsters should be able to develop, i would waive nick young at the preseason roster cutting deadline, because I also believe he’s untradable.
matt24 says
Let him try to make the roster in training camp and preseason if it doesn’t work let him go however need be, the only problem is that the lakers usually waive players
new rr says
Signing Young to the extension was a very bad idea at the time, so what is going on now is no surprise. Williams’s deal was defensible, but I was ultimately against that one at the time as well.
Williams is tradeable, however. I am pretty sure that no NBA team wants Young.
jameskatt says
I would waive Nick Young. That would give him his money. And the Lakers would spread out the hit to the cap.
Nick is a sad case. For a while, he kept the Lakers afloat when Kobe was injured. But he just seems not interested in being a serious go-to player and he doesn’t have a winning attitude. So with youngsters who need to grow up, Nick isn’t a great role model for them.
Further, once Nick ended his storybook relationship with his girlfriend Iggy Azalea, falling for an affair with his ex-girlfriend and making her pregnant – albeit she is still in love with him despite the knowledge he tends to have affairs – he destroyed any semblance of credibility he had. He is just a turn off now. He stopped being a good guy underdog whom you could cheer and root.. Instead Nick became the bad clown who brings unhappiness to those around him.
With the new generation of Lakers, hopefully they model themselves more like the Spurs – a group of good guys who work hard together with great attitude to win a Championship.
J C hoops says
people are forgetting how Nick’s easy-going nature and infectious smile was a positive in the locker room not long ago.
Hi is-, 3-point chucking style of play can change playing under Luke (and truth be told, isn’t so much different than the let-it-fly style Curry sometimes employs). If a new culture emphasizes joy when playing, I personally expect Nick to fit in nicely.
And all players, not just Nick, should be held more accountable for his defense under the new coaching staff. Most players can adapt to new coaching staffs. I see no reason for Nick to be tossed out like garbage.
His private issues, along with DAR’s video habits and any rift between them, should be put behind him as the entire team adopts a new, postitive attitude going forward.
As fans, we have the same opportunity to improve.
Lakers Future says
After coming back a day later and reading the comments I want to clarify my own. My comment about Young being “dumb enough to put himself in that position” was not about his affair. It was about him being 31 and engaged but still bragging about his exploits to a 19 year old. He was the one with something to lose. Why be dumb enough to expose your dirt to a 19 year old rookie? One guy was engaged and the other was barely out of high school. The fact the conversation (not the affair) even happen is a showcase of Nick Young’s immaturity.
wwlofficial says
Ideally, you keep Nick Young and make him fit in. Before that can happen, however, you need to assess the roster as is and try to see how to make minutes click.
Up top, based on my assumptions and Summer League play (which counts for little) D’Angelo Russell is the Lakers’ best player now. Second in command, Jordan Clarkson. Third, Luol Deng. Fourth, Timofey Mozgov (booooo) and fifth, Larry Nance, Jr. You can then notice that I am naming “my” starting 5 and the pecking order of the offense.
Brandon Ingram, will benefit from coming off the bench.
Then you have Calderon, Lou Williams, Ingram, Randle, Zubac.
At the bottom of the roster: Huertas, Brown, Young, Black.
So indeed, the importance of dealing Young, even at the cost of a 2nd rounder we had (or even both) from the Calderon deal might be required, is really high. There is no place for him. I remember him fondly as the 2nd best player on a MDA team that won 27 games, which was amazing in retrospect.
Would you, trade the 2 2nd rounders you got from the Calderon deal to dump Nick?
We’ve drafted awesome from the 2nd round lately:
Jordan Clarkson, 46
Larry Nance, 27 (technically was available at 34)
Anthony Brown, 34
Ivica Zubac, 32
MT87 says
Lakers Future This follows my own feelings as well. Young has talent but his general decision-making leaves a lot to be desired. He likes the attention and the drama but he isn’t young enough or talented enough to be a centerpiece on this team. I have no doubt that he would play better under Walton than Scott but this isn’t really a playoff team so why not let the developing players suck up those minutes?
Someone below made the point that its naive to think that dlo and the other developing guys on the team aren’t going to experience the LA lifestyle for themselves with or without Young and this is completely correct. For me, that just makes having good character guys on the team more important. If dlo is at the club at 2am and things get sketchy would you rather have him there with Mr. Fireworks-in-his-hand or with someone who is going to keep a cool head and make good decisions? What happened to Okafor in Philly can happen here with our guys.
wwlofficial says
I’m also trying to see if the stretch provision is mandatory *2 + 1 or we could choose to do it within 3-5.
MT87 says
wwlofficial I’d much rather just waive Young than give up those second rounders. I never really thought much of second round picks but lately the Lakers are just killing it with those selections. Lets give the FO a chance to draft another Clarkson or Zubac. I think it would be worth eating the cap hit from Young to see if we can do that.
Joe Kerr says
The Nick Young re-signing is just another name on the list of poor acquisitions by the F.O. I hope the Lakers find some way to get rid of this guy and Lou Williams. I also hope Deng and Mozgov don’t end up being bad contracts that are hard to get rid of too.
TommyYoung says
wwlofficial Lets keep Young and see how he fits under Walton’s coaching…because some fans don’t like him is no reason to get rid of him if we are going to lose our 2nd picks and get nothing back…
Clay Bertrand says
matt24
Its a pic of Nick ACTUALLY working out and not clowning around. You might want to save this pic as it is rare.