With all of the moves the Los Angeles Lakers have made this off-season, one continuous question mark has been the future of Nick Young. After a disappointing season, many believed the Lakers would look to move Young this summer to clear out more cap space.
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That move has yet to be made and while it still might, general manager Mitch Kupchak believes that Young will be a core player for the team this season according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kupchak says he does expect Nick Young to be a core player this season, but does have to improve (i.e. defense) & also adjust to teams needs
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 10, 2015
Kupchak also added that Young will have to show the coaching staff that he can do more than just score the ball according to the Lakers official Twitter page:
Kupchak on Nick Young: "He has to convince our coaching staff that he can play within our system & that doesn’t just mean scoring the ball."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 10, 2015
Young clashed with head coach Byron Scott at times last season, but said that the two were on the same page at the end of the season. In any case, Young’s spot in the rotation, assuming he isn’t traded, is far from guaranteed after the Lakers’ off-season additions.
Lou Williams can provide the same explosive scoring off the bench as Young and if someone like rookie Anthony Brown can play great defense, he may move ahead of Young as well. The rotation of the Lakers is not set in stone and Young will have to work to make sure his spot is secure.
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