WEDNESDAY, 2:40pm: A source close to Young told SB Nation’s Jake Fischer that the forward is very interested in testing the free agent market (Twitter link).
SATURDAY, 11:31am: Nets forward Thaddeus Young may have given an indication today regarding whether or not he would exercise his early termination option for next season, Tim Bontemps of The New York Post relays (Twitter links). During his exit interview with the press, Young said that his agent Jim Tanner suggested he opt in and then hit free agency during the summer of 2016 when the salary cap is expected to increase dramatically, Bontemps notes. The value of Young’s option for 2015/16 is $10,221,739.
Young said that he still has a lot of factors to consider, but reiterated that he loves being in Brooklyn and with the Nets, and is comfortable living on the East Coast, Bontemps adds. The 26-year-old had previously noted how pleased he was with the deal that sent him from the Timberwolves to the Nets. “It was the perfect situation for me, especially with me being good friends with [Nets GM] Billy [King], just knowing him and him drafting me in Philly,” Young said. “So it was a good situation, plus they had the right mix of players for me and I felt like I could be a great complementary piece to a lot of guys on this team.”
If Young indeed opts in for next season it would be a reversal of his intentions prior to the trade deadline. The player had reportedly informed Minnesota that he didn’t intend to pick up his option for 2015/16, and would become a free agent at season’s end. It was this request that likely swayed the Wolves to deal away Young for franchise icon Kevin Garnett. King had also previously indicated the franchise would like for Young to return, saying the team will do what it can to retain Young. As the GM apparently sees him as a building block for the team’s future.
In 28 games for the Nets last season, Young averaged 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes per contest. His career numbers through 592 games are 13.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.5 APG. Young’s career shooting numbers are .495/.323/.693.