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As Nick Young sat on the bench without hearing his number called in 11 of the Los Angeles Lakers last 12 games, it became increasingly clear his season was probably over. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News confirmed as much Sunday, reporting that the Lakers have “effectively” shut down Young for their final five games of the season.
Young, who averaged 13.2 points per game for the Lakers, had arguably the most efficient season of his career at age 31, posting a career-high true-shooting 58.8 percent.
The shooting-starved Lakers needed all the floor spacing Young could give them early in the year, and 40.4 percent from 3-point range on 7 attempts per game, the second-highest and highest marks of his career, respectively.
Medina additionally reported that his “sources said Young could play in case of an unforeseen injury,” but “the Lakers are skeptical of that scenario happening.”
If Young is done for the season, it might be the last fans see of the Los Angeles native in a Lakers uniform. While Young said he is undecided about whether or not he’ll exercise the $5.6 million player option he has to remain with the Lakers next year, if he does enter free agency, it’s unclear if the Lakers would value his shooting and familiarity with head coach Luke Walton’s system enough to keep him around on a multi-year deal.
All stats per NBA.com. and Basketball-Reference.com. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.