NBA Rumors: Should the Los Angeles Lakers Retain Nick Young?

By Carlo Monzon
Nick Young
Nick Young in 2014. Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison

From the Los Angeles Lakers' perspective, Nick Young certainly seems like a problematic player who's currently facing a lot of distractions. Aside from his near-death experience with a firework during the Fourth of July holiday, he's also embroiled in a controversy with his ex-fiancée Iggy Azalea.

These are probably some of the reason why the Lakers are reportedly considering trading him away. After all, who needs to spend money on a player who seems who be unreliable?

As noted by the Los Angeles Times, Young still has two years in his contract with the Lakers which totals $11 million. However, rumors suggest that there's a good chance that the team might release either through a trade or by waiving his contract.

This wouldn't come as a surprise because based on his recent actions, Young has displayed that he lacks the focus and discipline to continue playing for a professional league.

For instance, earlier this week, he did something very idiotic that could have easily ended his career or worse, his life. In a new video obtained by TMZ Sports, Young was spotted celebrating the Fourth of July holiday by lighting up fireworks.

However, instead of celebrating the holiday in a responsible way, he did the opposite. In the video, Young can be seen holding on to a firework until it explodes in his hand. Luckily, he was able to walk away uninjured.

"You would hope that things like that don't happen," Luke Walton, the new head coach of the Lakers said according to Inside Local. "Professional athletes kind of need their hands. But I'm glad he's okay."

But aside from this dangerous behavior, Young is also currently dealing with cheating rumors. According to U.S. Weekly, Young allegedly cheated on the rapper Azalea with Keona Green. As revealed by Green, who is expecting a child with the Lakers guard, she and Young were secretly together when he was still engaged to the female rapper.

Issues such as this wouldn't probably directly cause the Lakers to reprimand Young but it shows that he has a lot on his plate aside from just simply focusing on his career. It would be a waste though, if Young allows these distraction to affect his status in the NBA especially since he entered the league as a very talented athlete.

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