Teams will come calling for Thad Young
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Teams will come calling for Thad Young
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Unfortunately for the 76ers, one of the names that is going to be bandied about when the never-ending trade rumors start to fly this summer is going to be that of 24-year-old Thaddeus Young.
Think about it.
If there is one player on the roster that the Sixers are committed to it’s Jrue Holiday. An all-star, Holiday, though he has shown some signs of wear and tear as of late, is the closest thing to an untouchable on this roster.
And if you’re looking at the Sixers roster, of the eight players signed through next season, Young is easily the most enticing to any team looking to do business with the Sixers.
In his first full season as a starter, Young is averaging 15.2 points on 52.6 percent shooting, and he’s averaging 7.8 rebounds per game. After notching just one double-double coming off the bench last season, Young has 18 this season. The one area of his game where he’s slipped is at the free-throw line, where Young has made just 55.3 percent of his free throws after making 77.1 percent in 2011-12.
Compare those numbers to Atlanta’s Josh Smith. Smith, who believes he’s a max contract player (another reason why the Sixers were smart in not pursuing him), is averaging 15.8 points a game and shooting 45.7 percent from the field. He’s a better rebounder (8.5) than Young, but he’s one of the worst free-throw shooter in the league (45.7).
Young is one of the hardest-working players in the league, and he’s one of the guys in the league that every coach knows plays hard every single game.
In the last five games, not long after coming back from a hamstring injury, Young has averaged 20.6 points on 69.4 percent shooting (50 of 72). In the last three games Young has pulled down 12, 10 and 15 rebounds per game.
So get a good look at him now. The Sixers don’t want to trade him, but no one is going to be calling them this summer and not bring up his name.
Thad has grown his game each year...I love the way he is being much more aggressive and decisive around the basket snatching rebounds and throwing down. At just 24 Thad has shown that he is a rising young GOOD player with potential to be even better if given more opportunities. If he can show the ability to guard the 3, his value will really soar! Keep him!— JBP- I have to think Thad would be a keeper and it would take a lot to pry him from the team. Being that he is among the highest paid on the team he could bring back someone borderline all-star in return money-wise or some young guys with promise. Still I'd rather keep him and consider other options to attaining players. Given that Nick Young and Dorell Wright most likely won't be back they should look to move Hawes and it's obvious DC isn't crazy about ET (though how does the FO and Michael Curry feel about him?) this team needs to get tougher and attack the rim. Giving up That won't help that too much as he's one of the few to attack the rim on the current roster.— joecooler2u
- on a properly constructed team, thad's a tweener. on a properly coached team, he's the first guy off the bench - providing instant energy and offence so desperately missing on this team.— OldCoach
- HOLIDAY AND YOUNG SHOULD BE UNTOUCHABLE UNLESS 76ERS GET COUSINS THEN ALL BETS ARE OFF— PHILLIES & GMAN FAN 4 LIFE
- Are you kidding? Cousins is a franchise killer. — oglejd
- Information in this article is false, Thad was a starter for a good portion of his rookie season and then his entire second season he was a starter. Check your facts, John...— CBent1
- with a team this bad, no one is untouchable.— OldCoach
- When I watch the Sixers now I do hope they will loose every time out for a better lottery pick though it's not a great year for the lottery I have been told. I can not believe any fan would want them to win at this point. That's sabotage. If they win, I feel bad. I would really hate to see Thad go. Likeability is important even on a losing team and Thad has so much of that going on plus a great demeanor and he goes all out.— gotnogame
- T Yound should be the only untouchable player ... Holiday is a TO machine! Is there anyone else out there that thinks the same as I do? BARKLEY FOR GM!!!!— bill poore
This writer is totally out to lunch. This team needs legit NBA players. Thad Young, despite the overhyped Holiday, is the best player on the team with a nice upside as he matures. What point is there in giving away your best player, but according to the writer, it should be a consideration. I can only shake my head at the daily nonsense that comes from and around this team.
It's like you woke up one day and your team, the front office and ownership group and the beat writer are total frauds in what used to be a storied NBA franchise.- Thad's a great support player, works hard and is dynamic. Figures the team would look to trade him, probably for someone who'll sap whatever energy remains on this team.— meteo30
- Thad is solid, but it's a shame he can't shoot a jumper off the dribble.— Bartleby
- No thanks he stays— william20
- Would not part with Thad. Nice contract, plays 2 spots, productive off the bench or as a starter. He and Holiday would be my keepers— 7mel11
- CBent1 is on the money about this piece. To refresh everyone's memories, Thad Young started 22 games in 2007, 21 mpg, 54 percent from the field, 4.2 boards per game, 8.2 ppg; then 71 games in 2008, 34.4 mpg; 49.5 from the field, 5 boards per game, 15.3 ppg; then 45 games in 2009, 32 mpg, 47 percent from the field, 5.2 boards, 13.8 ppg. Then under Collins, he started 2 games in the next two seasons, 26 and 27.9 mpg, 54.1 and 50.7 from the field, 5.3 and 5.2 boards, 12.7 and 12.8 ppg. This season, 58 games started, 35.5 mpg, 52.6 from the field, 5.4 boards, 15.2 ppg. In effect, he is about where he was in 2008. He has been a solid, consistent player, who brings it every night, but is probably where he will continue to be for much of his career.— chuckw
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
