Nick Young Profile: Heat check for Swaggy P

Strengths and Weaknesses

Don't look now, but Nick Young had a rather spectacular season with the bumbling Los Angeles Lakers. It was, without a doubt, his best season as a professional. He averaged 18 points on 47 percent from the field (56 TS%) in just under 30 minutes a game. He may have been the best Laker last season, which feels rather crazy to write.

At 6-foot-6 Young is a big shooting guard with a solid handle and reasonable career percentages for shooting. Why hasn't he been able to put together more complete seasons during his previous seven seasons? Other than his one season with the Clippers, Young has always been a part of NBA teams in transition or turmoil. He played four plus years in Washington and has since had stops in Philly and two in Los Angeles.

His main strength lies in his ability and willingness to take and make tough shots. The shooting guard position is ridiculously weak at the moment and a player with his measurables paired with a solid season is mighty appealing on a base level. He also has a STRONG nickname in Swaggy P and is the most fashionable player in the league. Seriously, some of the guys around the league like to dress in interesting ways, but they aren't in the fashion game like Swaggy is. He looks good and the experts agree (yes I am taking a shot at Dwyane Wade dressing like his wife).

His other main attribute is probably his girlfriend, rapper Iggy Azalea. And let's not kid ourselves, she is a strength. Kudos to Mr. Young.

Photo Credit: Anders Overgaard

Weaknesses are easier to point out: he's not a good defender, he doesn't contribute much other than scoring and he doesn't seem to interested in leaving Los Angeles. All reports indicate that he's probably going to opt out of his current deal with the Lakers in an attempt to get them to pony up to a longer term one.

There are probably two total Maverick fans who'd be interested in Nick Young: Doyle Rader and myself. And that's okay!

Fit with the Mavericks

The current guards on the roster are Jose Calderon, Monta Ellis, Shane Larkin and Gal Mekel. In terms of size, Young would be a nice addition because none of these four are over 6'3".

A big guard would give coach Carlisle a chance to move Jose Calderon to the bench and allow Monta to play point from the opening tip, but considering Young isn't exactly a defensive stalwart, this solves none of the existing Maverick problems.

When considering play style and chemistry, Young is probably a poor fit at best. The thought of Rick Carlisle screaming at Young is entertaining, but not practical, as we continue into the twilight of Dirk's career. His best fit is that of a super-sub in the Jason Terry role and considering his shoot first mentality, the Mavericks probably need a scorer who is at least willing to distribute the rock (hence why the Mavs are so interested in Devin Harris).

Depressingly, Swaggy P is not a fit with these Dallas Mavericks.

Additional Reading

The good folks over at Silver Screen and Roll recap Swaggy's season.

Forum Blue and Gold grade Young's season a B.