NBA Trade Grades: Nets Trade Thaddeus Young To Pacers
Indiana Pacers
Though it cost them a first round pick that could wind up being valuable in a crapshoot draft like this, the Pacers are starting to put together Larry Bird’s vision, putting more offensively capable players alongside Paul George.
Last season Young was quietly great for the Nets, averaging 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on 51.4 percent shooting. He’s a stout defender, a solid slasher and his versatility to play multiple positions in the frontcourt will help the Pacers whether they’re playing small-ball or more traditional lineups.
One obvious theme threading through these Indy moves: speed. They are clearly getting serious about running. For real this time.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 23, 2016
The only problem? Young isn’t much of a perimeter shooter, an ability that is intrinsic for Indiana to use him in small-ball lineups. Last season Young shot 23.3 percent from three-point range on 0.4 attempts per game, and he’s a career 31.9 percent shooter from downtown.
Young brings speed, defense and versatility to an Indiana team that wants to get out and run with small-ball lineups, but his inability to spread the floor may make it harder for PG-13 to exploit mismatches at the 4 unless Young is playing the 5 as an extremely undersized center.
Thad Young has steadily shot around 56% around the rim & 48% in the post in recent years. Made 38% of jumpers this year too, but few 3s.
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) June 23, 2016
Unfortunately, it looks as though Myles Turner will be the key to the small-ball 5 spot, with the Pacers likely letting Ian Mahinmi walk in free agency.
The Pacers are trying to build something around George now, as evidenced by their trade for Jeff Teague that shipped out George Hill on Wednesday. For better or worse, the focus is on the offense now.
A core of Teague, Monta Ellis, George, Young and Turner is certainly enough for another playoff run next year, and Young’s contract ($25 million over the next two years, with a $13.8 million player option for the third year) is not a killer to Indiana’s books as the salary cap booms.
The Thad Young contract is of huge value for Indiana with the rising cap. $14m equals a $10m player on a $94m salary cap.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 23, 2016
Young will help keep Indiana’s defense intact as they try to revamp the offense, but he doesn’t move the needle into the contender category either.
With Solomon Hill heading for free agency, it’ll be interesting to see what the Pacers can do with their cap space and what Bird decides to do with Ellis, Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles moving forward.
Grade: B+
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