With 26 games left in the 2013-14 NBA season, the future remains uncertain for many players on the current roster for the Los Angeles Lakers. Only Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Robert Sacre and Kendall Marshall are under contract, and there’s no guarantee any of these players outside of Kobe actually return.
As a result of the majority of the team’s players becoming free agents this summer, the roster could look much different next season. One player that does control his own fate with the Lakers is Nick Young.
Last summer, Young signed a two-year deal with the Lakers. The L.A. native took a hometown discount to play with the Lakers this season, and potentially the next. Young has a player option in the second year of his deal for $1.7 million, but it’s safe to say he’ll receive much more lucrative offers from other teams if he chooses to opt-out in July.
Young spoke to the media after Sunday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets and expressed uncertainty about the immediate future. Despite the uncertainty, Young wants to fight to play through his knee pain so he can play as many games as possible in his Lakers uniform:
“Just want to play. Ain’t got too many games left. Don’t know what’s going to happen after the season. Just wanna have that Lakers uniform on.”
As of right now, most indications appear to be pointing toward Young remaining with the team, but even Lakers GM Mitch Kupchal expects the 28-year-old to opt-out of his deal. It remains uncertain if the Lakers will offer him a deal that will keep him in Los Angeles long-term.
______________________________________________________________________________
Coach D’Antoni Talks About Clearing Room For Nick Young And Xavier Henry