13 Players the Golden State Warriors signed past their prime
By Tyler Watts
12. Nick Young
Young was the 16th overall pick in 2007 by the Washington Wizards after three years at USC. He quickly jumped into the rotation, and it did not take him long to start handing out buckets. Young was a microwave scorer that could get hot at any moment. The 6’7 wing averaged 17.4 points per game in 2011 before being traded to the LA Clippers at the 2012 trade deadline.
Swaggy P was entering his 11th NBA season when he signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent in 2017. He spent the previous four seasons with the Lakers where the nickname was born. The Dubs had won two of the last three championships, and they were eager to add his floor spacing and shot-making.
Nick Young had just turned 32 years old and his playing time and production declined in the Bay Area. He averaged 7.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game during his lone season with the Dubs. Swaggy P’s playing time decreased to just 10.3 minutes a night in the playoffs, but Golden State won their second straight title.
It would be Young’s final full season in the league. He played four games with the Denver Nuggets in the 2018-19 but was waived less than one month after signing. The 6’7 wing was past his prime during his lone season with the Golden State Warriors, but he still helped the franchise win a championship.