Arguably the lowest point of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2015-16 season was due to something that had nothing to do with basketball. The rift between Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell due to Russell accidentally releasing a secretly recorded video put a black mark on what was already a terrible season.
To his credit, Russell came out and took full blame for the incident, but that did not stop the severe backlash from coming. Additionally, Young didn’t seem to be willing to accept Russell’s apology at the time.
But as the saying goes, time heals all wounds, and Young now seems to have moved past the incident and in an interview with Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, said that he and Russell have already begun working things out:
“We’re teammates,” Young told the Southern California News Group. “It’s been so long, so it’s kind of old.
“We’ll be able to work it out. We’ve already been working it out. It is what it is. I can’t be mad forever.”
This is a welcome change in attitude from Young and one that was ultimately necessary. It is unknown whether Young will be on the Lakers this season, but if he does remain on the roster, he would have to eventually bury the hatched with Russell as the latter is a major part of the Lakers’ future and is unlikely to be moving anywhere.
Rumors will continue to surround Young until training camp begins as the Lakers had been openly shopping him, but were unable to work out any deal. This has led many to believe that the Lakers will waive or ‘stretch’ Young, but that has not taken place yet.
Young has spoken with new head coach Luke Walton and seemed to come away with a positive outlook on things. Whether or not that leads to him staying with the Lakers, this year remains to be seen.