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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 Reasons Why It’s Time To Trade Thaddeus Young

By Frankie Hobbs

Jan 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2013-14 NBA regular season has hardly been awe-inspiring. Injuries and teams losing on purpose have dominated the headlines. The need for an 82-game season has been questioned. As February draws closer, one thing will start to take column inches and filter through the radio airwaves: The trade season. Moves will be made; players will be shipped across the nation, all in an effort to either save salary, make your team better, or, as teams like the Philadelphia 76ers want to do, make your team worse.

Thaddeus Young is a player that has started to creep into trade rumors in recent weeks after a string of consistent performances. In fact, that is probably underselling just how good Thad has been. He’s averaging a career high in points, assists, steals and 3-point percentage and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

It’s time for the 76ers to move Young. And here’s why.

Cash in high 

There comes a point when Sam Hinkie has to ask himself: Will Thad Young’s trade value ever be higher? I say no. He can opt out as a free agent after next season; he’s playing the best basketball of his career and is still young enough to possibly improve sometime in the future.

If the Sixers leave it a season, they face him turning into an expiring contract. Whilst that isn’t bad, teams will be less likely to give up any major assets for what could end up being just a rental.

It’s The Calm Before The Storm

The trade deadline is set to be one of the busiest for years. Teams that are competing to land a high draft picks will be shipping off assets for a low price.

Trading Thaddeus Young now means that the Sixers can still charge a premium for their player. If you wait until the deadline, the supply could outweigh the demand and the package offered for Thad could be very poor.

It Makes The 76ers Worse

Trading Thaddeus Young would make the Philadelphia 76ers a whole lot worse. While they have been bad this season, there is still room in the tank (see what I did there?) yet.

If they are to land an Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker, they are going to need to move one or two of the better players in order to really compete in the great Tankaplooza.

Just think, Evan Turner will use more of the ball if Thad goes. And that is a recipe for disaster in itself.