Lakers Rumors: Latest on Potential Nick Young Trade, Kevin Seraphin and More

The Los Angeles Lakers will forever operate under the NBA microscope, so it's not a surprise the rumor mill regarding Purple and Gold prospects on the trade market has started churning faster while the rest of the league begins taking a free-agency breather.

Of late, the Lakers have been connected to trade rumors regarding cap-clearing maneuvers and a certainly streaky shooter. Additionally, the team is still searching for frontcourt options in free agency to help bolster a presumed starting front line of Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert. 

Let's get to it. 

Nick Young Staying Put? 

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Back on July 5, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported the following regarding Nick Young's future with the Lakers: 

Four days later, general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters he envisions Young returning to the team next season, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina and Lakers Nation's Serena Winters:

Young is slated to earn $5.2 million this season and $5.4 million the next before he can choose to opt out of a $5.6 million player option for the 2017-18 season, per Spotrac.  

Following a stellar first season with the Lakers, Young sputtered throughout the 2014-15 season under head coach Byron Scott. During an injury-riddled campaign that was ultimately ended by a left kneecap fracture, Young averaged 13.4 points while shooting a career-worst 36.6 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three. 

Swaggy P has long been defined by the peaks and valleys in his production, but he should have a chance to rehabilitate his value if he can find some more consistency in catch-and-shoot situations.  

Seraphin on L.A.'s Radar

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

According to Sheridan Hoops' Michael Scotto and Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears, the Lakers are one of several teams interested in unrestricted free-agent big man Kevin Seraphin:  

"There’s a slim chance Seraphin, 25, could return to Washington," the Washington Post's Jorge Castillo wrote. "The team lacks young big men and could use another one after acquiring wing depth in Jared Dudley, Gary Neal and Alan Anderson. But the Wizards have conducted business this summer under the assumption that Seraphin would move on."

With Jordan Hill reportedly on his way to the Indiana Pacers, according to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, the Lakers have a hole to fill at backup center behind the newly acquired Roy Hibbert. 

As a low-cost, low-risk addition, Seraphin would make some sense for Los Angeles. On a per-36-minute basis, Seraphin averaged 8.4 rebounds, including 2.5 on the offensive glass, according to Basketball-Reference.com. 

And considering Hill left that blue-collar position vacant upon bolting for the Pacers, Seraphin wouldn't be a bad consolation prize for the new-look Purple and Gold.  

Haywood Deal a Possibility?

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to wield one of the NBA's most interesting trade chips—Brendan Haywood's $10.5 million non-guaranteed deal for next season. 

As the Eastern Conference champions seek to add even more depth, they've been dangling Haywood's contract as a way to clear cap space.

Fox Sports' Sam Amico reports the Lakers are one of a handful of teams sniffing around what Cleveland has to offer:

Los Angeles is currently devoid of quality trade chips, but Young could theoretically fit the bill if Cleveland doesn't mind footing the next two years of his deal as a way to replace J.R. Smith.

The Cavs had previously been linked to Joe Johnson in a potential Haywood salary dump, according to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, but those talks have become "stagnant," according to ESPN's Mike Mazzeo and Chris Broussard.   

Haywood just needs to be waived before August 1 for his deal to come off the books, per Spotrac, so it could take some time to gain clarity on this front.