If a team is going to acquire Thaddeus Young before the NBA trade deadline, they better be prepared to offer a lot to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team is more set on trading away Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes, but there is more interest surrounding Young.
ESPN's Chad Ford reports that multiple teams have inquired about Young over Turner and Hawes, but the 76ers expect a "huge offer" in return for the forward. Ford writes the Sixers will hold on to Young unless they can get an offer that not only includes a marquee player in return, but draft picks as well. Hawes and Turner will be the cheaper players to acquire of the three.
So who could be the team that makes the "huge offer"? The Houston Rockets are hoping it might be them. According to Basketball Insiders, Young has been on the Rockets' radar for the entire year. After Young reportedly made a "soft" trade request early in the season, the Rockets were hoping to be buyers come deadline time.
Houston's offer could include players like Jeremy Lin or Omer Asik. The Rockets have been dangling those two players ever since Dwight Howard came to town. While Lin has been productive this season, a healthy Patrick Beverley makes him slightly expendable with the right return deal. Asik has been unhappy from the start and would welcome change wherever it came.
The issue is the 76ers are wanting draft compensation more than players. The reason the three players are available in the first place is because Philadelphia is hoping to load up on youth in the draft. The team has reportedly been requesting lottery picks in return for Turner or Young. Houston is not going to want to give that up for a player that fits defensively, but not offensively.
The likelihood Young gets traded by Feb. 20 is slim considering the asking price. The Rockets do not necessarily need Young to get to the playoffs so the chances they part with draft picks is slim. The 76ers have made Turner and Hawes their top priority trade package and with interest still surrounding those two players, Young likely staying in Philadelphia.
