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Since his trade request a few weeks ago, Thaddeus Young has played like an absolute stud. Add in 30 efficient points last night in a win over Portland, and you've got 185 points on 129 shots over his last 7 games -- 26.4 efficient points a night. But as much as he's played like it lately, Thad's not a superstar, and with his chance to opt out after next season, it may be best to get something for him lest he walks before the Sixers are contending. Enter: the Phoenix Suns.
Source: One team very interested in #Sixers forward Thad Young? Phoenix. Suns have 4 extra first round picks over next two NBA Drafts.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) January 5, 2014
Phoenix has been a tremendously entertaining and surprising team this season, sitting at 20-12 on the year, 7th in the tough, tough Western Conference. They've already said they'd be willing to move one of their picks for an impact player this year. Thad would certainly qualify as an impact player -- especially for a team that likes to run (Phoenix) and a team that struggles to defend the pick-and-roll (Phoenix!).
More on Thad
In terms of pick specifics -- specipicks, if you will -- this year, they have three protected first rounders in addition to their own. Minnesota's (1-13), which could go either way, Washington (1-12), which seems a bit more likely to clear, and Indiana (1-14), a definite. They've also got the Lakers pick in 2015, protected in the Top 5.
If the Suns were to acquire Thad, it would sort of make the Morris twins expendable. They're from the Philadelphia area, which probably doesn't matter, but what might matter is that Houston drafted Marcus Morris with the 14th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, right before Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Vucevic, and Iman Shumpert. Marcus has been good (probably not as good as Markieff), but neither of them are strong starting options for a playoff team. Thad would be.
Would guess that Alex Len is off-limits, but maybe Archie Goodwin is not. Keep an eye on that Emeka Okafor fat expiring contract. With the way Thad is playing now, it would require more than just one middling first-rounder to get a trade done. We'll see how willing Phoenix will be to play the game.
Sam Hinkie vs. Ryan McDonough. Go.
