Nick Young weighing options in free agency

Nick Young is a free agent for the first time in his career and may be forced to ponder leaving the only organization for which he has played. The Washington Wizards intend to retain him but realize that they will have competition from several teams, including Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Sacramento and Phoenix, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The Wizards, though, have the ultimate advantage because they can match any offer Young receives after tendering him a $3.7 million qualifying offer. NBA teams will have the opportunity to speak with players and make pitches to free agents starting at 10 a.m. on Monday and while Young does not have any face-to-face meetings scheduled, he is expected to speak with teams over the next few days.

“Anybody loves interest and when somebody recognizes your game,” Young’s agent, Aaron Mintz, said in a telephone interview. “Obviously, he’s worked his whole life to get to this stage. It’s exciting for Nick, it’s exciting for his family and I think the interest is great. For Nick, being able to have options is nice. He wants to win. The good part of it is, with him being restricted, the Wizards can keep him.”

“I think people recognize his improvement,” Mintz said. “I think Nick is looking to continue to take things to the next level. I think getting that starting time was a great thing for him. He got a great taste. I think his confidence is sky high. I saw him in the gym [recently] and he’s doing things that are real high-level basketball.”

Mintz said Young has been pleased with the direction of the Wizards and “feels a lot of good energy coming from out there.”