NBA Rumors: Byron Scott Blast Nick Young; 'He’s Not With Us Mentally'

The locker room drama appears to have not yet abated, indicative of an ongoing dilemma inside the embattled gold and purple team. For nearly a month, Lakers guard Nick Young has not made frequent active appearances on the hardcourt as he struggles with his scoring while getting benched off in the rotation.

So far, the 30-year-old player is averaging 7.3 points (on 33.9 shooting) in 54 games- his worst season record to date. For head coach Byron Scott, it's not just about the recent scandal that he's gotten into. His gameplay throughout the season has been reportedly mediocre.

"I know what he's going through and I know it's hard on him, but right now he's not here with us mentally," Scott said as quoted by Lakers Nation. "There's no need for me to put him out there on the floor right now."

So far, there is no fresh update on whether Young and D'Angelo Russell has already patched things up, at least in private. Admittedly, the rookie has taken the first steps of making his apologies known to the public but the media is yet to hear a response from Young's side. Scott, in his part, said that the Lakers family understands Young's predicament.

"It's been tough. This is probably the icing on the cake as far as how tough it can be," Scott said as reported by Sports Rageous. "He didn't get off to a great start. His shooting has not been what it has been in the past. It went even a little downhill to the last couple of months. The situation last week didn't help. We all as coaches, players and everybody feel for him and we understand the situation he's in. It's a tough situation."

Meanwhile, Clippers mowed down the Lakers to a 103-81 win in Tuesday's game at Staples Center. The defeat marks Lakers' 61st loss in the season causing Scott to express frustration at how the team's gameplay descended to unimaginable mediocrity as the franchise finally enters the post-Kobe Bryant era as reported by Basketball Insiders.