The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly aiming to become a key player in the coming weeks' trading period as the December 15 deadline of lifting trade restrictions for newly-signed free agents draws near and Nick Young is said to be on top of team's trading block.

SB Nation's Silver Screen & Roll indicated that Young "leads potential Lakers trade candidates" as the 30-year-old, eight-year veteran "has failed to match his 2013 campaign after landing a contract extension" mainly because head coach Byron Scott had not favored to use him that much this season.

Like Us on Facebook

Young had faced three DNPs from Scott so far this season as the 54-year-old coach and former Laker reportedly prefers Lou Williams over him. He is also playing just 19.6 minutes per game, slightly down from last season's 23.8, as compared to Williams 26.5 a night.

The two players basically play the same positions on the floor and Williams had been more productive statistics-wise than Young thus far.

Young is currently averaging 9.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game, all career lows since he played for the Lakers in 2013-2014, while Williams produce 13.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists at present.

Sports World Report have also noted that trading Young could be the Lakers "priority" during the coming weeks as the team aims "to build past the Kobe Bryant era".

The young core of Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, and Julius Randle are said to be safe from being dealt away, but the team's veterans are not in an effort by the management to continue rebuilding for their future.

Young had been the subject of NBA trade rumors since the beginning of the offseason, but the Lakers has not found any interested team since then.

Bleacher Report's Michael Pina said that finding a trading partner that is interested in Young "would be almost impossible" because of his lengthy contract and on-court behavior.

To Young's credit, though, Pina notes that the sweet-shooting wing man "ranks in the 89th percentile as a spot-up threat", something which the Lakers and a lot of teams who falls "head over heels for space and efficiency" have coveted.

This means that Young remains to be one of the deadliest outside shooters in the league and it is really a wonder why Scott has been using him so little.

If Scott does not want to use him, then it is a clear indication that he could be sent to a new team anytime soon.

TagsNBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, Lakers rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, Nick Young