If there were to be any indicator to how weird this Lakers season is, it would be Nick Young’s resurrection. In nearly every shooting category, Swaggy P has gotten his mojo back and set new career-highs. On top of improved shooting, Young has made strides defensively and shows full effort on each side of the court.
Young’s value has surged from the point it started at before the season, now it could possibly net the Lakers draft compensation at the trade deadline. ESPN’s Marc Stein has reported that the Lakers are seeking a second-round draft pick in any deal involving Young.
Does Magic Johnson have another trade in store in his debut week? ESPN sources say his Lakers are seeking a second-round pick for Nick Young
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 23, 2017
The team traded Lou Williams to Houston yesterday for a first-round draft pick and Corey Brewer, now it looks like that won’t be the only deal Magic and Co. make before Thursday’s 12 P.M. Pacific deadline.
Magic said Wednesday on Spectrum Sportsnet that there were deals on the table for Williams, but the team would keep working the phones for other potential deals.
Swaggy P has danced back into the fans’ hearts after a disappointing few years under Byron Scott, to see him go would definitely be saddening. But as the case was with now-former teammate Lou Williams, Young is on a different timeline than the Lakers.
Young is also turning 32 this summer and can opt out of his deal this summer which has about $5 million left on it. Young has earned the right to command more money next year, but the Lakers will look to build for the future, spending more than they should on an aging shooter.
A second-round pick is not terrible value for Young, especially considering the Lakers’ track record over the last three seasons with later draft picks. Young may be traded, he may not be, but he’s made another losing season enjoyable with highlight plays and side-splitting post-game jokes and quotes.
