Lakers’ Nick Young thought he had a three point shot at the end of the third period, but it was called back during second half action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014. Lakers defeated the Suns 115-99. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )
The Lakers reiterated something to Nick Young’s representatives on Monday night that have been featured on countless billboards throughout Los Angeles.
The Lakers would like Young to stay. The Lakers were among “a lot of interested teams” to have contacted Young’s representatives, according to a league source familiar with the situation.
After averaging a team-leading 17.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting, Young opted out of his $1.2 million player option in hopes of receiving a longer and more expensive contract with the Lakers. Young told this newspaper two weeks ago that he would like a multi-year deal, though he is willing to take a hometown discount if he has a similar role with the Lakers this season.
The Lakers like Young’s scoring and entertaining personality. But they are reluctant to offer multi-year deals to all role players so they can maximize purchasing power for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as well as future free agents in 2015 (Kevin Love) and 2016 (Kevin Durant).
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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com