Entering this season, both parties appeared headed in a different direction, but last week Young's relationship with the organization took an uncomfortable turn. The Lakers say they're committed to winning, and Young's skill set can, in some ways, help them do so. But the 30-year-old instead finds himself on the bench, unable to complement teammates who duplicate one another's production value.
Will they part ways sooner than later?
The good, the bad and the ugly Young is an accurate shooter with range, an increasingly coveted characteristic in a league that’s fallen head over heels for space and efficiency. According to Synergy Sports, he ranks in the 89th percentile as a spot-up threat. (Only 13.9 percent of L.A.'s offensive possessions end in such attempts, which ranks dead last in the league. They could use more of them.)
Unfortunately, that’s all Young can do. He doesn’t pass, play defense, rebound or create off the dribble. The Lakers don’t run plays for him unless they’re down by 25 points. Still, on paper, he’s the exact type of player head coach Byron Scott could use to boost the NBA's third-worst offense.
D’Angelo Russell, Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson and Kobe Bryant all need/want the ball in their hands to impact the game. Young can give them room to operate. He's shooting 39.8 percent from behind the three-point line and 41.2 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts this season, according to SportVU.
Instead, his usage percentage has never been lower, and after scoring a season-high 22 points against the Indiana Pacers on November 29, the eight-year veteran has completely fallen out of Scott’s rotation for reasons that aren’t clear:
Despite two more g...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
