LA Lakers Rumors: Latest On Nick Young Trade And Lakers Still In Talks For Rockets’ Star
The LA Lakers are still looking to make some moves this offseason because they aren’t going to call the 2015-16 season a bust just yet. Sure, many may be looking ahead to next year and the possibility of landing Kevin Durant, but what about this year? Well, Nick Young may still be on his way out of town and the Lakers may still desperately try to sign Josh Smith.
Nick Young has been the subject of a lot of trade talk this offseason, and many are wondering if Swaggy P will be gone soon. It doesn’t appear as if he is going anywhere, at least not right now, according to Bleacher Report.
Heard today Lakers have no plans to trade Nick Young. Called around seeking suitors so they could clear cap room quickly. Didn’t materialize
— Bill Oram (@billoram) July 14, 2015
Young’s inconsistency on the court last season is the reason the Lakers haven’t had a lot of interest in getting someone to trade for him. It’s also the reason that they want to trade him away in the first place.
The Lakers signing Lou Williams, reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is huge for the team and not so good for Young. He can expect his playing time to diminish unless he can show a lot of improvement to coach Byron Scott quickly and also general manager Mitch Kupchak who knows what he is capable of doing.
“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.”
While the LA Lakers are still going after Wizards forward Kevin Seraphin, they have not been taken out of the rumors of landing Josh Smith. The Dallas Mavericks are also looking at signing Smith and also trying to offer a contract to JaVale McGee as well.
That whole ordeal with DeAndre Jordan really screwed up their offseason plans. Smith would serve as a lot of help for Dirk Nowitzki.
The Sporting News believes that the LA Clippers could also be a good match for Smith and that he would fit in well with Blake Griffin and a returning Jordan. Smith is a much better free throw shooter than Jordan and that could make them interchangeable.
With the Lakers, Smith could alternate or play alongside Julius Randle and recently signed Brandon Bass. His defensive presence would also help with the lackluster defense of Nick Young which hurt the Lakers a bit last season.
The LA Lakers could still make some waves during the offseason as rumors of them landing Josh Smith or Kevin Seraphin persist. Nick Young appears to be heading nowhere, and the dream of landing Kevin Durant is still a whole season away and that’s a lot of games to be played.
[Image via Getty Images]
