During his prime, Nick Young was one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. Young quickly became a fan favorite and a prominent figure in the league due to his dazzling style on and off the court. Despite his early success, Young’s career has recently stalled, and he has not played in the NBA since the 2018-19 season. Many people wonder what happened to the once-promising player and if he will ever return to the court. 

Is Nick Young retired from basketball? This article will examine what happened to Nick Young, why he was out of the league, and what the future may hold for this enigmatic basketball player. Let’s get started. 

Who is Nick Young? 

Nicholas Aaron Young, more commonly known as “Swaggy P,” is a retired basketball player in the United States, renowned for his successful career as a shooting guard and small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on June 1, 1985, in the City of Angels – Los Angeles, California. 

He attended Cleveland High School in Reseda and was named California State Player of the Year. Nick then went on to play for the Trojans at the University of Southern California (USC). He was named Pac-10 Tournament MVP after leading the Trojans to a first-round victory over Arkansas and a second-round victory over the Texas Longhorns, led by Kevin Durant. 

Through his dedication and hard work, Young transitioned from a promising freshman to a prestigious 16th overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2007 NBA Draft. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of playing for six different NBA teams. His last significant stint was with the Golden State Warriors, whom he helped secure a championship title in 2018. 

In addition to his basketball career, Nick Young has made headlines for his personal life. He had been in the public eye due to his relationships with high-profile figures such as Iggy Azalea and Keonna Green. His romantic engagements have resulted in three children from his on-and-off again relationship with Green. 

Despite being involved in legal issues such as the alleged assault of a churchgoer in 2016 and obstruction of justice during a traffic stop in Hollywood in 2018, Young has managed to maintain a positive public image, showcasing his enduring popularity in the basketball world. 

Overview of His NBA Career 

After being selected 16th overall in the NBA draft of 2007, Nick Young immediately impacted his team. His rookie season saw him average 7.5 points per game while playing 15.4 minutes. Over the next decade, he emerged as one of basketball’s most reliable shooters from beyond the arc. 

Young continued to improve over the following seasons. He achieved his career-best performance in 2011 as a Wizard, maintaining a scoring average of 17.4 points per game and recording an impressive 38.7% shooting from the three-point territory. Despite his success on the court, the Wizards failed to clinch a playoff spot that year. 

In 2012, Young was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he helped them reach the postseason for the first time in six years. After a season with the Clippers, Young joined the Philadelphia 76ers before the 2012-2013 season started. He was a reliable scorer for the Sixers, averaging 10.6 points per game. 

Following a brief tenure with the Sixers, Young inked a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013. He registered 17.9 points per game on an outstanding 38.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Despite his brilliant performance, the Lakers could not secure a playoff spot. 

He played for the Purple and Gold for four seasons and became a fan favorite thanks to his scoring ability and entertaining personality. But in 2017, the Lakers did not resign him.

Nick Young’s championship occurred in 2018 while he was a part of the Golden State Warriors. He signed with the Denver Nuggets in December 2019 but was released after playing only four games. He hasn’t played an NBA game since. 

Young has a career average of 11.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.0 APG. He spent twelve seasons in the NBA and played for six different teams. 

What Really Happened to Nick Young? 

Nick Young was an extremely charismatic player who entertained the audience with his antics on and off the court. Nevertheless, his NBA career was disrupted due to off-court controversies and troubles. In 2016, Young became embroiled in a highly publicized scandal when a video surfaced of him admitting to infidelity while engaged to rapper Iggy Azalea. The scandal caused his engagement to end and garnered negative media attention. 

Furthermore, Young’s on-court performances began to decline. He struggled to find consistent playing time and battled injuries throughout his career. His shooting percentages dropped, and he struggled to fit into the systems of the teams he played for. 

While it’s unclear precisely what caused Young’s decline and ultimate departure from the league, his off-court issues and inconsistent play likely played a significant role. In 2018, Young played for the Golden State Warriors, but he played sparingly during the team’s championship run. In December 2018, he signed with the Denver Nuggets and was waived after playing just four games. 

Since then, Young has not played in the NBA, and rumors have circulated about his potential retirement. 

While it’s unclear precisely what caused Young’s decline and ultimate departure from the league, his off-court issues and inconsistent play likely played a significant role.

Why is Nick Young Not in the NBA? Did He Retire? 

Nick Young hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since the 2018-19 season. The reason for his absence from the league is not entirely apparent, but a combination of factors may be to blame. 

One of the reasons might be his age. At 37, he is considered an older professional basketball player. While some older players are still active in the league, finding a spot on a team can be more challenging as a player gets older, especially if they have struggled with injuries or a decline in performance.

In his final NBA season with the Golden State Warriors, he struggled to make an impact on the court. His shooting percentages were down, and he struggled to fit into the team’s system. He also battled injuries throughout his career. 

These issues and his off-court problems could have made him less attractive to potential suitors. 

Nick Young hasn’t announced his retirement yet. In 2021, he joined the Enemies, the BIG3 team owned by the Arenas. Although he no longer plays in the NBA, his signing with the Enemies indicates that he has not completely retired from professional basketball. 

While it’s unclear precisely what caused Young’s decline and ultimate departure from the NBA, his off-court issues and inconsistent play likely played a significant role.

Wrapping Things Up: What Happened to Nick Young? 

Nick Young was a talented basketball player with a magnetic personality, making him a fan favorite. Despite his entertaining play on the court, Young’s career was marred by off-court issues that damaged his public image and likely impacted his ability to secure a roster spot in the NBA. 

While his absence from the league may be disappointing to some, his legacy as a dynamic and exciting player will undoubtedly continue to be celebrated by basketball fans for years. 

Whether Young decides to continue playing or move on to other opportunities, his impact on the game and its culture will not be forgotten anytime soon.

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