Lakers: Three Possible Trade Destinations for Nick Young
By Eric Yee
Dec 16, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Louis Williams (3) shoots a basket past Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (0) in the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Atlanta Hawks
The market for Nick Young has been nearly non-existent but this trade makes sense for both teams for many reasons.
Currently, the Hawks are sixth in the improved Eastern Conference but still struggle with bench scoring. This is an area where Young could provide improvement in immediately.
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The Hawks starting line up is in constant flux with the small forward position being the changing factor. Despite starting the first 12 games of the season, Kent Bazemore seems to once again have fallen into a bench role, with Thabo Sefolosha retaking his starting gig.
In considerably less minutes, Nick Young is putting up similar numbers to the Hawks interchangeable starting small forwards.
Per 36 minutes, Nick Young is averaging nearly 18 points per game, compared to 15 and 11 for Bazemore and Sefolosha respectively.
In Young, Atlanta would gain a second unit shot creator which makes sense, as Dennis Schroeder often struggled to fill this role last season. Further, the system that Coach Mike Budenholzer has established in Atlanta caters to Young’s strengths: shooting the ball.
Instead of the isolation heavy offense the Lakers currently run, Young could thrive running off ball, and play on a team that actually runs plays for its shooters.
Further, the Lakers could possibly get back a young player, like Tim Hardaway Jr. who has been riding the bench, but more imperative would be receiving a draft pick.