Thaddeus Young has been a steady contributor throughout his 15 years in the NBA, so he’s having difficulty adjusting to a limited role with the Spurs, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball News.
The 33-year-old power forward was acquired by San Antonio in August in the deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to Chicago. He’s serving as a veteran presence on a very young team, but he’s not getting the minutes that he has been accustomed to. Kennedy notes that over the past two weeks, Young has played eight minutes or fewer four times.
“Right now, this situation is not ideal for me,” Young said during an appearance on Kennedy’s podcast. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to settle for four and six minutes a game.”
Young has remained productive into his 30s and is coming off one of his best seasons last year with the Bulls. He received the NBA’s 2021 Hustle Award, recognizing the player who makes the most energy and effort plays, while averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Those numbers have fallen significantly this season as Young is playing just 15.6 minutes per night after averaging 24.3 last year.
Young was a part-time starter during his two seasons in Chicago, but he’s filling a back-of-the-rotation role in San Antonio, where the emphasis is on developing young talent.
“It’s super tough. It’s very tough and frustrating at times,” said Young, who is the only player on the roster older than 30. “But at the end of the day, I understand where this franchise is going and I understand what’s happening — the young guys have to play. Whatever happens, happens. It’s just a matter of trusting in my faith and trusting in my craft and trusting in the time that I put into the game each and every day. I’m a 15-year veteran and I’m still one of the last to leave the gym and I’m still showing up early, putting in a lot of time and a lot of work.
“If I’m not playing in games, then I have to figure out some way to stay in shape, so I’ve been doing my after-the-game conditioning as well as showing up early for three-on-three sessions. I’m not supposed to be playing those three-on-three sessions because I’m a vet, but in order to stay in shape, I have to do something. So I’m playing in three-on-three sessions with the younger guys and some of the coaches and just trying to keep my feel for the game and timing.”
With a $14.19MM expiring contract, there should be plenty of demand for Young before the February 10 trade deadline. The market figures to start opening up after December 15 when most free agents who signed over the summer become eligible to be traded. Until he’s moved, Young plans to do whatever he’s asked to and will avoid becoming a distraction.
“The one thing I’ve prided myself on is just continuing to be professional and making sure that if I’m part of a team, I’m part of that team,” he said. “I’m not one foot in and one foot out. If I’m putting on that jersey and they’re paying me and they’re putting their trust in me, I’m going to make sure that I’m there for them. I think that’s one of the biggest things.”
I’ve never heard of the hustle award until now
Neither had I, but Young is a good choice for it. Always liked the guy and his game. I’m sure he’ll be moved or bought out after the trade deadline to let him join a contender.
He is a waste on the bench. Last year proved that he still has some game left in him.
Why sign with the spurs if this was going to be your roll? Surely you would talk about this before signing a contract.
He was acquired via trade
Thad Young for Marvin Bagley….
Both on expiring deals. Both having down seasons.
Kings trying to make the playoffs need more of a veteran presence that’ll make a difference regularly. Young last season in 24 minutes was putting up 12-6-4. Young would fit perfectly as either the starting 4 next to Barnes and Holmes, or off the bench in the younger second unit.
Spurs on the other hand are trying to be a competitive young team in a rebuild. Bagley was the second overall pick just a few years back and has never lived up to the hype. Having a bad year so far but last season put up 14-7-1 in 26 minutes. Bagley would fit perfectly under Pop, he would offer a lot of athleticism something the Spurs lack among their bigs.
I swear I’ve wrote this exact trade on here before, kings need a vet like thad, they are very similar to last years bulls some nice talent but no winning direction
Kings would be a nice fit.
I also think blazers should go for him.
Play him and Nance together when Nurkic sits.
I’m sure if Young was playing as many minutes as Bates Diop,, Spurs would have won a few more games.
He has plenty of suitors. Contender will go after him.
Wish the Bulls had the room to get him back without trading players they need to make the money work. They had to give up something to make the money work for DeRozan. Bulls could really use him right now.
Young and Primo for Jones Jr. and Brown Jr. gets it done. Not sure if SA would go for that, but those players are both decent IQ guys and younger. Young sort of fills both roles those guys were playing for the Bulls, and he definitely can tussle with bigs effectively, which is the biggest weakness for the Bulls right now. Not sure who Primo is, but he can sit on the bench and keep Simonovic etc. company
Primo was a lottery pick in the most recent draft. The Spurs aren’t trading him now.