Source: Barring trade from Sixers, Thaddeus Young to opt-out of contract following 2014-15 season

Thaddeus Young has been the Philadelphia 76ers' best human trade asset since Sam Hinkie dealt Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2013 NBA Draft. The Houston Rockets came calling about potentially swapping Omer Asik for Young in December, and several teams called about Young during the trade deadline in February, league sources told Liberty Ballers.

On Draft night, the Sixers offered a package of Elfrid Payton and Young to the Orlando Magic in hopes of securing Orlando's 2015 first round pick, but ultimately settled on simply receiving Dario Saric, their re-gifted 2017 first round pick and a 2015 second round pick.

So, Young is still a Sixer for the 2014-15 season. And, barring a trade that sends him out of Philadelphia during the season, Young will then opt out of his contract before the 2015-16 season, a source close to Young told Liberty Ballers Thursday night. This is not shocking.

With the way the last year progressed, it seems more than likely Hinkie will be unable to trade Young for his proper value due to the tweener forward's opt out clause in said contract. In a vacuum, Young's trade value is likely worth a mid-to-late first round pick. If he had three years left on his contract, Hinkie may have moved Young for equal compensation at some point during the year.

Some might conclude that would mean Hinkie will eventually trade Young for a package of second round picks like he did with Spencer Hawes and to a degree with Evan Turner. At this point, all we know for certain is that if Thad ends up stuck in Philly for another disappointing season, he'll undoubtedly handle it with the upmost professionalism.

In the meantime, Young has publicly said he would to sit down with the Sixers' front office and discuss his future with the team prior to the start of the season.