NBA 2016 Rumors: Lakers Dealing Nick Young, Lou Williams for Sacramento's Rudy Gay
The NBA had been nothing short of spectacular over the past years, and it can be attributed to the revolution on offense in this era. While the late 90s of the Bulls and Rockets capitalized on bruising defense, the 2010s had focused on outside shooting, fast breaks and ball movement.
This era is reminiscent of the Showtime Era made popular by Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But the franchise where Showtime originated, the Los Angeles Lakers, had been struggling to keep up.
Luckily for them, new talent had risen in Hollywood. D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle had been shaping up to be the young guns to help the Lakers contend this season. Despite this, the Lakers are still looking to add to their offense, led by new coach Luke Walton.
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Nick Young for Rudy Gay
There is a lot of speculation now that the Swaggy P era is done for in Los Angeles. Nick Young had been involved in a lot of trade rumors in the offseason, with some even saying he would be waived instead to give way for younger, better talent.
At 30 years old, Young can still be serviceable as a guard, fitting well in the advent of outside shooting in the NBA with his three-point hot streaks. This is why a lot of teams can still use him—in fact, he is involved in a rumored blockbuster trade that will send him and Lou Williams to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.
The Denver Nuggets are also part of that scenario, sending Wilson Chandler to the Lakers and getting Rudy Gay for the Kings. However, recent rumors suggest that the Lakers want Gay for themselves. Los Angeles is reportedly offering Young and Williams to the Kings for Gay, who looks to be unsatisfied with his time in Sacramento and wants to exercise his player option in 2017 anyway.
The case for Gay
Young is currently the 7th highest paid player on the Lakers roster, and if they want to chase free agents next year, they have to get a player who can both compete and opt out of his contract next year. Gay fits that bill nicely.
Last season, he averaged 17.2 points per game off 46.3 shooting, and is a 34 percent on three-pointers over an 11-year career. He has the capability to score inside and stretch the floor, which could easily land him the power forward spot in Walton's lineup.
That said, Randle could use some help developing his outside shot at the four. Bringing in Gay along with his veteran experience could serve as a mentor for Randle, Russell and rookie wing Brandon Ingram.
