The LA Lakers may still have some moves to make this summer, as the team could trade Nick Young, Ryan Kelly or Robert Sacre if they pull a deal for Brendan Haywood, as the big man has an unguaranteed contract and could help clear cap space and this comes as point guards D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson will work with Steve Nash this offseason.
The Lakers have been very active this offseason after adding Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams and that could lead to more moves down the line. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers have shopped Nick Young this offseason, as he has a similar role to Williams in the offense. The team has not found a suitor yet and Bill Oram of the Orange County Register reports that the team will keep Young for now. The team reportedly wanted to "clear cap room quickly" with a Young deal.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could be a potential option for Young, as the Cavs are looking for more scoring off the bench and on the wing. The team just added Richard Jefferson and James Jones and they also want to bring back JR Smith, so adding Young may be a bit redundant. The two sides could have some common ground though, as the Lakers want to clear cap space and the Cavs have Haywood and his unguaranteed contract. According to Sam Amico at Fox Sports, teams like the Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Clippers have all expressed interest in Haywood this offseason.
The Lakers have some solid depth up front, so Haywood would be more about the cap space. Haywood has a contract for $10.5 million that is unguaranteed until the end of the month and the Cavs have that as a trade chip. If the deal to bring back Smith doesn't work, the team could consider a move with Young. The Lakers have also considered moving Ryan Kelly or Robert Sacre, as the team could clear some space that was with Kelly making just under $2 million and Sacre on a deal just under $1 million.
The team has depth with Hibbert, Julius Randle, Robert Upshaw and Larry Nance and they could survive if they move Kelly or Sacre in a deal. The team is going to have Hibbert starting and Randle also could get significant minutes after missing his rookie season. The Lakers have also been interested in adding another point guard and the team could look at Jason Terry, Norris Cole or Pablo Prigioni as options.
The Lakers have two young players at point guard in Russell and Clarkson and they are getting some advice from a legend. According to Oram at the Register, Steve Nash will work out with Clarkson this summer and the point guard said that Russell also "will be included" in the future workouts. Nash can give both players good advice, as Russell and Clarkson each said at the Summer League that they have areas where they can improve. Clarkson had a very strong rookie season and he could start, while Russell was the number two overall pick and looks like he could be a star one day.
Check here for more on the LA Lakers offseason moves, the Lakers roster, potential trades with Nick Young and Ryan Kelly and for more on the potential deal for Ty Lawson and more on the interest in Haywood.
