2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions: Thaddeus Young To Lakers? Sixers Want Clean Slate With Roster Full Of Rookies!
The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions are showing extreme behavior among teams' front offices. The Sixers want a clean slate while the Lakers want talent-any talent.
Thaddeus Young had a season in limbo and this has affected his career. It seems like the Sixers want to start almost from scratch and it's hard to blame Young if he doesn't want to be a part of it.
Philadelphia is actually one of the relatively bigger markets in the NBA and they have a strong fan base to boot. Thaddeus Young was obviously part of former era and the feeling between him and his team seems mutual.
The Sixers already traded all their players of substance-Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner have already been dealt and Thaddeus Young is next.
The framework the trade is that the Sixers will take two stars from the draft instead of just one. From the 700level.com:
"Thaddeus Young, #10, #32 and #39 to the Lakers for #7 and Steve Nash's expiring. Thaddeus Young and our two most valuable second-rounders might seem like a lot to give up to move up three spots in the draft, but they're a big three spots-it's the difference between adding a likely complimentary shooting guard and a power forward with star potential, as one of Vonleh, Gordon or Julius Randle should still be available at #7. Thad will likely be on the trading block sooner or later anyway, and as much as Hinkie loves his second-rounders, we still have three more to go, and they were all acquired first and foremost to help grease deals like this.
Meanwhile, the Lakers badly need any kind of high-level veteran assistance on their roster, and Thad would instantly become the second-best player on the team. With the three picks, two of which are basically late first-rounders in a draft this deep, the Lakers could also restock their team with good young talent, and along with another signing or two, give Kevin Love a reason to consider coming back to L.A. when he (as of now, anyway) hits free agency in the summer of 2015. Meanwhile, we take the Nash expiring off the Lakers' hands, making adding Thad's salary basically a wash for L.A., and ensuring the Lake Show still has room to add another quality free agent or two this summer."
The Sixers will be prepared whether Nash plays or retires. For the Lakers, they can get a real young talent along with second-rounders and the 10th pick. They were never really banking on the draft as they've always wanted veterans-they might eventually trade that pick as well.
With two teams which has an 'anything is possible' tag, this trade may actually happen.