Lakers News: Latest on Nick Young, Brendan Haywood Trades and More

It looks as if the Los Angeles Lakers are still one year away from serious contention. 

Call it an easy guess this time of year—the team touts high-upside younger players such as Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell, but it sat on the sideline and watched as Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and others looked elsewhere.

As such, general manager Mitch Kupchak's biggest get this offseason might be Lou Williams, per Shams Charania of RealGM.

Still, the Lakers—thus far—have improved. Even better, young players continue to show promise, and the front office continues to put itself in a position to improve. Here's the latest.

Julius Randle Update

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

A key part of the organization's future, Randle remains perhaps the most important thing to watch this offseason.

Randle played in just one game as a rookie and fractured his leg, putting a premature end to his debut season. With him went much in the way of hope for the team's season.

The Kentucky product isn't one to waste time, though, and it sounds like he is putting on a show in Las Vegas. Mike Trudell of TWC SportsNet says Randle not only looks healthy but improved in certain ways:

It's important Randle continue to improve so he can see the majority of the minutes next season and keep depth players such as Brandon Bass and Tarik Black off the court.

Ditto for his chemistry with the rookie Russell, who figures to soak up the majority of the minutes at the point. Per the Ohio State product, it sounds like things are on the right path:

This is what Lakers fans should want to hear. There may not be a major new free agent in town, but there are two younger players who can morph into something special together.

The Brendan Haywood Sweepstakes

Every team in the Association seems to want a chance at Brendan Haywood of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Haywood, 35, averaged just 5.4 minutes per game last year. Teams want him for his contract, though, which pays him $10.5 million, per Spotrac, but it isn't guaranteed if a team waives him by Aug. 1.

According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Lakers want in on this action:

They should want in.

Being able to clear north of $10 million in funds isn't something to scoff at, whether the space gets used right away or hoarded for next offseason to help lure big free agents to town.

There is no way to know what the Lakers might offer in return, but it's clear the Cavaliers want to continue to shore up depth after an ugly Finals performance with key contributors injured. As such, it wouldn't be wild to see the Lakers dangle a cost-effective name, perhaps Robert Sacre or Ryan Kelly.

Regardless, it's clear the Lakers want more space to work with, and it's something Haywood provides.

Nick Young on the Block

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

In line with the above mention of clearing cap space come the rumblings the team has Nick Young on the block.

If true, it's no surprise. Young is 30 years old and averaged just 13.4 points last year. With Kobe Bryant on his way back and Williams now on the roster, it seems like the team might have too much cash wrapped up in players at similar positions.

Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times added context to the developing situation:

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers might move Young's contract off the books:

The deal will need to come at the right price, of course, but it seems like a way for the Lakers to finalize a transaction with the Indiana Pacers for big man Roy Hibbert, per Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. 

Young is a $5.2 million cap hit this season, per Spotrac—another source of revenue the team could free at the right cost. In the grand scheme of things, the Lakers need to reduce the number of shooters on the roster anyway, so the two younger players have plenty of chances. 

A needy team might be able to wrestle Young free at a rather cheap cost. Plenty of teams wouldn't mind his contributions, but as the Lakers look to transition to younger players in a traditional rebuild, he seems an odd fit.

Don't expect this one to go away. The market will dictate what the Lakers can get back in what is one of the league's more interesting trade scenarios.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.