Nick Young, or more commonly known as “Swaggy P”, has always been known for his outlandish personality, noteworthy style, and willingness to shoot. He’s an eccentric player, one who’s a fan favorite everywhere, and when he gets it going from deep, look out.
Young finds himself at a crossroads of sorts now, being that he’s a free agent after spending the past four seasons with the Lakers. He had his best season in years in 2016-17, averaging 13.2 points per game while shooting 43% from the field and 40% from deep over 26 minutes per game.
After being stuck in the Staples Center as part of a bad L.A. team for so long, Young reportedly wants to join a contender moving forward. This should come as no surprise, as Young is 32 years old. It remains to be seen if Young will try to cash in on his potential-last big pay day, or if he wants to be a part of a playoff run.
Either way, his ability to shoot like the best of them whenever it’s needed (and even when it’s not) makes him an interesting target. David Aldridge is already reporting New Orleans is “aggressively” searching for guard talent and will meet with Young and Ty Lawson.
Young is already set to meet with “a bunch of teams” according to Lakers Nation, including the Pelicans. He may also be a nice fit on young teams like Philadelphia (where he played from 2012-2013) or Phoenix.
In New Orleans he gets the chance to reunite with former Sixer Jrue Holiday, and join the twin towers in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans are an already talented squad with hopes of reaching the postseason and causing some teams trouble next year.
The Sixers look to be finally moving forward from The Process – and with how weak the Eastern Conference is, they may actually be a playoff team next year if they stay healthy. They’ve already signed J.J. Redick, but Swaggy P will cost less than the $23 million Redick is getting. The catch being that Young is probably looking for more than a one year deal.
The Suns probably are a long shot, but they could certainly use someone with Young’s ability to shoot coming off the bench. Teams would have a difficult time defending Booker and Young on offense if they were to ever be on the court at the same time.
Phoenix has some money, and Young won’t be getting a max deal anywhere, though. Ultimately, the Suns probably aren’t going to be contenders next season with how stacked the Western Conference has become, and so Young would be going there for little more than money and to stay in the southwest.
If Philly is able to find more veteran presence, they could easily contend in the weakened East this year. Could you just imagine how well Swaggy P and Joel Embiid would get along? While in New Orleans, Young has the chance to play with solidified All Stars, but would have to scrape and claw his way through the torrential West.
There are still surely other teams interested in Young, and if there aren’t then there should be. If he can keep his three-point percentage up around 40% or potentially higher, he would be one hell of an asset to a title contender or a team trying to make it to the playoffs in general.
Expect Nick Young to garner a lot of attention as this offseason plays out.
