As a franchise, the L.A. Lakers might not know what their plans are beyond this season's last four games, but somehow, someway Nick Young knows he has to be a part of them.
The Lakers have suffered through their worse season in franchise history and Youn knows there will be plenty of change this season as the team goes about the business of trying to resurrect itself. Native son that he is, the high0scoring guard is just hopeful he can play a role in it all.
"I'm very confident," Young told ESPN of the prospects of him returning to the team next season. "I always wanted to be a Laker and it will be a dream come true to still be here. You never know what happens. Last year, they had a whole different team. It's obvious they're going to make some changes This is home. I would love to finish off here as a Laker."
Nick Young a a free agent after season ends
Other than Young, 11 of 15 players on the Lakers roster are on expiring contracts, with the veteran swingman having an opt out on his $1.2 million deal. Only seven of the Lakers players on the team a year ago ended up being back at the beginning of training camp in 2013-14.
"His value is certainly much greater than what the contract is," Young's agent Mark Bartlestein told eSPN. "There's no question about that. But our goal is to sit down with Mitch Kupchak and hopefully work something out so Nick can be with the Lakers for a long time."
Nick Young blasts teammates for not standing up for him
Through all their struggles, Young showed the Lakers his worth this season, averaging a career-high 17.5 points per game, along with 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Early in the season, Young was considered a leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate, but after the Lakers took a nosedive and he missed 18 games with a fracture in his left knee.
"Just wearing that purple and gold has been great, it's been amazing," he said. "Especially to learn from and share the same locker room as Kobe [Bryant] and pick his brain a little bit. That helped me a lot. Just going out there and being able to play and play my game in front of my fans and family and eat home-cooked meals and wake up and not have to deal with that snow every day."
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