Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers made another move in free agency by acquiring the services of the exciting Nick Young.
Young was played with the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Coming off the bench, Young average 10.6 points 23.9 minutes per contest.
Young has the ability to create his own shot and when hot, can command a double team. Playing with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash might create more space for Young to operate on the offensive end than he is normally used to.
At only 28 years old, Young is in the prime of his career and will excite the Staples Center crowd with his above-the-rim highlights.
The Lakers second unit is now looking very formidable compared to last year’s model.
Young along with Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman, Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks and Jordan Famar provide depth and stability to the Lakers when Bryant, Nash and Gasol need a breather.
Young can also fill in as the starter at shooting guard if Bryant is not ready to go by opening night as he recovers from injury.
One move that the Lakers have to make is the signing of a power forward to fill out the roster.
Lamar Odom has been contacted by the Lakers, but nothing so far has come to light on that situation.
A return to Los Angeles in purple and gold is just what Odom needs to prolonging his career a few more years.
Odom has not been the same player we once knew the last two seasons and not playing for the Lakers has a lot to do with it.
With the Lakers, Odom was the team’s x-factor by creating matchmaking problems for other teams with his versatility to run the team’s offense, score from different areas around the court and his ability to rebound the basketball with his 6-foot-10 frame.
If the Lakers can bring back Odom and retain Metta World Peace rather than waiving him via amnesty, then the Lakers will be very deep from top to bottom and will have a very good shot at competing at a high level.
Haz Bey covers the Los Angeles Lakers for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Haz_Bey and “Like” him on Facebook.
