The Los Angeles Lakers have made a flurry of moves in the last few days to make up for missing out on Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. Entering the offseason, Los Angeles had big plans of how to use their lasrge amount of cap space and most of those including getting big names under contract. However, those plans did not come together like general manager Mitch Kupchak wanted, but it was not for lack of trying.
For a brief period of time, the Lakers were the presumed favorite to land Aldridge. They were getting a second meeting with the power forward and things were really looking up. According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, one thing that peaked Aldridge's interest was Kobe Bryant pitching a trade for Chris Paul. Bryant wanted to show that Kupchak new exactly how to build the best team for the future which would help Aldridge be successful.
The tactic did not work and now Los Angeles was left to make moves for Lou Williams, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass in free agency. Those moves were paired with the addition of D'Angelo Russell and the return of Julius Randle. However, the Lakers still have moves up their sleeves to make. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, a trade of Nick Young is a priority for Los Angeles, but might be unlikely to happen.
Young signed a four-year contract worth $21 million. While it is certainly not a cap killer of any kind, most teams at this point in the offseason are not aiming to bring it on their pay roll. Young is a good player, but not a great one as he is known for scoring in bunches, but being rather inconsistent. According to Lakers reporter Michael Lee, an offensive with Bryant, Young and Williams statistically will not work out.
There are very few standout potential landing spots for Young. The New York Knicks could take a look, but he might not be a starter after the contract to Arron Afflalo. The Los Angeles Clippers have been eyeing a player like Josh Smith. If he is unavailable Young might work. The Lakers are going to be hard-pressed to find a team willing to give up much for Young this offseason which means he will stay put and the Los Angeles backcourt will have some chemistry struggles.
