LA Lakers Trade Rumor: Lakers no longer Trading Nick Young, Eyeing Kevin Seraphin, Josh Smith
The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer looking to trade Nick Young, several sources reported.
Earlier rumors claimed that the Lakers were interested in moving Young for financial flexibility. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported in June: "Yahoo Sources: As Lakers work to clear cap space to sign free agents and absorb HIbbert, Nick Young is a strong candidate to be unloaded."
After more than a month, however, no deal ever materialized. Bill Oram of Orange County Register reported that the Lakers no longer have plans to trade Young.
Heard today Lakers have no plans to trade Nick Young. Called around seeking suitors so they could clear cap room quickly. Didn't materialize
— Bill Oram (@billoram) July 14, 2015
"He has to convince our coaching staff he can play within the system," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, reported by the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina. "That doesn't only mean score the ball. That means defending and doing the little things, which I know he can do."
The Lakers also reportedly did not get a lot of interest from other teams. During this past season, Young has been very inconsistent. The small forward averaged 13.4 points.
In other Lakers' trade news, they are reportedly still interested in acquiring Kevin Seraphin. Other teams interested in Seraphin include the Dallas Mavericks and his previous team, the Washington Wizards.
The Lakers are also in talks for free agent Josh Smith, who most recently played for the Houston Rockets. Smith, one of the better free agents left on the market, is talking with several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Rockets and Mavericks.
