Nick Young will opt out of Lakers contract, open to discount

Nick Young will opt out of the $1.3 million player option he has with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2014-2015 NBA season and test free agency, reports Mark Medina of Los Angeles Daily News. Young had a career season in Los Angeles, proving to be a potent scorer off the bench, but will consider taking a "hometown" discount to stay with the team:

"It depends how much the discount is," Young said. "But as a player, everyone wants a place they feel comfortable at. I feel comfortable in L.A. But I can't keep taking these discounts. I need a raise a little bit. But if it's for the right cost and they're bringing in players and I fit into the rotation, then I'll probably take a pay cut."

A "little bit" of a raise was expected for Young, as discussed here at Silver Screen and Roll, but it's unclear how much of a cut he'd be willing to take. Admitting he'd take a discount, though, is a step in the right direction for the front office if they intend to retain the services of Swaggy P.

As a point of reference, Young's career salary average is $2.5 million through seven season in the NBA. His biggest contract was with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2012-2013 season, where he earned $5 million over one season.

Young averaged 17.9 points per game off the bench while shooting 38 percent from three-point range last year, leading the team in scoring.