Thaddeus Young was mentioned in several trade rumors before the deadline, but the Philadelphia 76ers opted to keep the versatile forward for the remainder of the season.
Despite keeping Young for the rest of the season, most analysts believe that the 76ers, who traded several key players before the trade deadline, will also trade the 25-year-old forward this summer.
However, recent reports indicated otherwise as Young hinted that the 76ers are not planning to trade him after the current season, saying that he has talked to 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie and coach Brett Brown about his future in Philly.
"They've been making a conscious effort to continue talking to me, keep trying to keep me on board as far as what's going on with construction and rebuilding effort," Young told the Delaware Country Daily Times.
Young is averaging a career-best 18.1 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds per game this season, but he admitted that his uncertain future in Philadelphia has been taking its toll on him. The former Georgia Tech standout vowed, though, that he will remain focused on the current task at hand, which is to lead his struggling team.
"This is definitely a situation that, really, nobody wants to take on. Hey, sometimes this is how the cards are dealt to you and this is the situation that was dealt to me," Young said. "I have to continue to stay focused and stay a leader to the guys in this locker room."
The seven-year veteran is in contract until next season, during which he will receive $9.72 million, while also holding a player option for the 2015-16 NBA season.
The 76ers are expected to rebuild in the next several seasons. Young said that he could opt out after next season and look to sign with a contender, but he quickly added that he is not yet thinking about his future moves.
"Obviously, I want to win," Young said. "Obviously, I want to be winning on a championship team. At the end of the day, like I said, it's a card that could be played. Right now, I'm not even thinking about playing that card."
Young was the only player kept by 76ers among their veterans who were reportedly shopped by the team. Veteran center Spencer Hawes was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while former second-overall pick Evan Turner was dealt to the Indiana Pacers before the deadline.
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