HoopsHype.com Rumors

Your agent recently talked about the prospects of you playing in China during the lockout. How did those discussions come about? Thaddeus Young: “It was a good idea just in case we didn’t have a season, so I wouldn’t just be sitting out not playing for a whole year. It’s just to entertain and explore some options. The opportunity is always open and there are other avenues of playing basketball and China was one.” Grantland

Philadelphia 76ers, Lockout, Thaddeus Young 

Is there anything definitive with going to China yet? Thaddeus Young: “Right now, we haven’t discussed it that far. We are just keeping our eyes and ears open and hoping we get the lockout over sooner than later. I wouldn’t mind going overseas and I’d love to explore China and get a feel for how the overseas game is in China and other places also. But I would definitely love to play over here too. My family is over here and I’m much more familiar with playing in the U.S.” Grantland

Philadelphia 76ers, Lockout, Thaddeus Young 

So where are you at in terms of negotiating with teams in the Chinese Basketball Association? Thaddeus Young: “Right now, there’s been offers placed on the table and there’s been counter offers and stuff like that. But as of right now, I’m just sitting and waiting. … Right now, I think it’s more of an entertaining-the-opportunity type (of) thing. But if it comes to that point, then I’ll definitely make the move and come over.” Grantland: What would it take for you to say yes? Thaddeus Young: “Just an offer that you can’t refuse. My thing is right now, it’s not really about just the money. It’s about going and exploring other opportunities and different avenues. And just being able to play basketball. Not being able to play basketball, that takes away from your game some times. I don’t want any slippage in my game.” Grantland

Philadelphia 76ers, Lockout, Thaddeus Young 

Jim Tanner, who represents Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, told HoopsHype.com that Young is strongly considering a move to China as well. ESPN.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Lockout, China, Thaddeus Young 

Count free agent forward Thaddeus Young among those who could potentially end up playing in China. Agent Jim Tanner told HoopsHype Young has been drawing plenty of attention from several clubs in the CBA. “I have been contacted by multiple teams in China expressing very serious interest in having Thaddeus Young play in their league this season,” Tanner said. “I have discussed this with Thad and he is intrigued by the possibility of playing in China if the lockout continues and has asked me to further explore these opportunities. At this point, our conversations with the teams have been preliminary but we are continuing to talk and to do our due diligence on each option.” HoopsHype

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Lockout, China, Thaddeus Young 

Your mindset right now is that you’re probably going to return to the Philadelphia 76ers next season? Thaddeus Young: Right now my mindset is that anything can happen. Somebody may make you an offer that the Sixers don’t want to match. I really don’t want to think about it too much. It’s in the hands of my agents and I just let them take care of the situation. Hopefully we get something worked out sooner than later. I’d like to stay with Philadelphia, the team drafted me. I love the team and I love the city. It’s a great atmosphere. HoopsHype

Philadelphia 76ers, Lockout, Thaddeus Young 

Do you feel like you’re an underrated player in the NBA? Thaddeus Young: Yeah, I think I am. I think I’m definitely underrated by many people after all these years. But there’s a lot of different aspects to my game: I can take guys one- on-one, I can play guys out, I can dridbble… There’s a lot of things I can do out there. HoopsHype

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young 

Collins met with Thaddeus Young on Monday and with Andre Iguodala on Tuesday before heading to Atlanta for meals with Jodie Meeks and Lou Williams in Atlanta on Wednesday. Later that day, Collins flew to Los Angeles and met with Elton Brand on Wednesday night before getting together with Jrue Holiday yesterday. Collins had previously spoken to both Evan Turner and Craig Brackins in person in Philadelphia and most likely talked to the rest of his players by phone. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Evan Turner, Doug Collins, Craig Brackins, Thaddeus Young 

The reason for Collins' travels was his desire to let his players know just what he expected from them during the lockout, presumably including what they should be working on this offseason, and what his team might need from them. Once the lockout began, coaches and front office people are not allowed to make any contact with players. For Collins, an avid texter and enthusiastic communicator, it could cause some serious withdrawal. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Evan Turner, Doug Collins, Craig Brackins, Thaddeus Young 

Young made $2.9 million this past season. It was rumored at the beginning of the season that Young's agent was looking for somewhere in the area of $11 million a year. That probably won't happen. A more plausible salary for Young would be somewhere around $6 million to $7 million a year. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young 

Whatever his salary, Young hopes to continue playing in Philly. "I love the city, I love the atmosphere, I love our motto "Show Ya Luv." I just love the team. They're like brothers to me; it's the first team I've ever been on, the team that drafted me, and I think something really good is about to happen. Coach Collins is that coach. I think he is the guy who can actually take us to the next level." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young 

Today, though, Young was asked about what he might think his and the NBA's future might be. He was tendered a qualifying offer by the Sixers last week, which will make him a restricted free agent on July 1, meaning any team can make him an offer, but the Sixers have the right to match. "Coach (Doug Collins) is always talking to me that I'm going to be here and they're going to take care of me to keep me happy and keep the team happy. It's just a matter of getting it done." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Doug Collins, Thaddeus Young 

Martin Frank: #Sixers extend qualifying offers to Young, Hawes. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes 

No huge surprise here, but the 76ers will tender qualifying offers to both Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. The qualifying offers can be extended any time now, but the team is expecting to get it done by the middle of this week. This is a slightly complicated process, but what happens is that once the Sixers tender each player a qualifying offer, the team earns the right to match any offer made to the player in the free agent market. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes 

No huge surprise here, but the 76ers will tender qualifying offers to both Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. The qualifying offers can be extended any time now, but the team is expecting to get it done by the middle of this week. This is a slightly complicated process, but what happens is that once the Sixers tender each player a qualifying offer, the team earns the right to match any offer made to the player in the free agent market. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes 

I'd go so far as to say Young believes in what Collins can do with this franchise and, more specifically, what Collins can do for Young's game. Young wants to return to the Sixers. And the franchise, by all accounts, plans on matching any reasonable offer sheet. No one knows what's going to happen with the next CBA, and how that will change things, but if another team signs Young to a fair offer sheet, the Sixers will match. The only reason Young wouldn't return is if a team signs Young to an insanely above-market-value offer sheet. The Sixers, within a broad range of contract offers, plan to bring back Thaddeus Young. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young 

Is your goal to sign Thaddeus Young to a long-term deal? Rod Thorn: We aren't allowed to do anything with Thad until after July 1. That's when he will become a free agent. We'll have to see what transpires on or around that date. Obviously, we like him. I think he did a really good job for us and he has a really good future in the league. phillyburbs.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Rod Thorn, Thaddeus Young 

When asked to clarify his answer - considering it was anything but clear - Iguodala continued down the same fuzzy path. "I think it's something I've always dreamed about, playing in the league," Iguodala said. "Once I got here, I think I've always wanted to be in one place, not having to move around a lot, being comfortable in one spot." Iguodala never actually said he didn't want to return to the Sixers. He danced around igniting an aggressive offseason controversy, but he tossed in a cup of passive-aggressiveness for confusion. Iguodala has not asked Sixers management for a trade, but the team will be looking to trade him this summer. Sixers coach Doug Collins has finally found a nucleus of guys - Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, and Jodie Meeks - who enjoy playing for the Sixers. Veteran power forward Elton Brand, in addition to having an anchor of a contract, serves as a complementary presence for those guys. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Elton Brand, Doug Collins, Thaddeus Young 

There will be changes made to the roster after the Sixers went 41-41, giving them a 14-game improvement from the previous season. Seldom-used free agents-to-be Jason Kapono ($6.64 million) and Darius Songaila ($4.82 million) won't be back. Veteran big man Tony Battie ($1.35 million) and late-season addition Antonio Daniels (pro-rated veterans' minimum) are also unlikely to return. The Sixers could consider dealing forward Andres Nocioni ($6.65 million next season) and/or young big man Marreese Speights ($2.72 million in 2011-12). The Sixers will give sixth man Thaddeus Young a $3.99 million qualifying offer, according to Thorn. Young solidified the bench, bouncing back from a disappointing third season - much of it was because former coach Eddie Jordan couldn't figure out how to utilize him - to finish third in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year balloting. "Hopefully, we can get something worked out so I can come back next season," Young said. By qualifying Young, the Sixers will seven days to match another team's contract offer. With a lockout set to begin July 1, free agents might have to wait until the lockout ends to have a better idea of what the future holds. phillyburbs.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Andres Nocioni, Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights 

Trailing 3-1, the Sixers visit the Heat in Game 5 on Wednesday night (7 on TNT/Comcast SportsNet). "It's been great, a great season (and) it's still not over," Young said. "We're just looking to go forward and take this whole thing to another level. We did a great job changing everything around from last season. "I'm very happy with the progression of the team. I definitely love being on this team. I love my teammates. We're all like brothers. We come into the locker room each day, there's no drama and it's just having fun with each other." phillyburbs.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Thaddeus Young