One player on the current squad for the Los Angeles Lakers that is currently under contract for next season is Nick Young. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Young has the option to opt out of the final year of his deal and appears to be destined to do so.
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According to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com, Young is expected to opt-out of deal in order to test free agency:
“While Swaggy P bathes in the attention of the uncertainty, Nick Young has made up his mind to opt out of his contract with the Lakers and become a free agent this summer, he strongly indicated to NBA.com.”
Young testing free agency always seemed to be inevitable regardless of the circumstances. If the Lakers were contending for a title this season that may have changed, but Young being content with earning only $1.2 million next season never seemed like a realistic possibility.
Fortunately, Young has enjoyed his time with the Lakers and has an interest to remain with the team moving forward. The real question is whether the Lakers will be able to outbid other teams interested in his services.
Young believes he’s worth more than $1.2 million heading into the off-season via Howard-Cooper:
He doesn’t see himself as a $1.2-million player.
“Oh, no,” Young said. “Not at all. Most definitely. I deserve much more than that.”
With Young showing that he’s still a force to be reckoned with offensively, there is a strong chance many teams will express interest once he officially opts out. Although teams will come calling, the Lakers do have the edge, but it is unclear whether they’re willing to pay him enough to keep other teams at bay.
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