Does Sam Hinkie Need To Learn When To Hold Em?

Apr 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) argues a call with referee Zach Zarba (28) during game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young was, and is, a very popular player to the Sixers fanbase.  A player who remains productive with a team when the overall team is in a decline wins a special place in the hearts of the fans.  Thad was such a player.   He continued to show up day in and day out, and his numbers were consistent and on an upward trend.

But he was a very good player on a worsening team.   Trade rumors were frequent and persistent.  Eventually, the terms of Young’s contract forced the issue into getting something now, or getting nothing later.   Following the trade, Thad spent a year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and last season with the Brooklyn Nets.   His numbers were good, averaging 14.3 PPG and 5.1 RPG for the Wolves, and 13.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG for the Nets.  But once more, his star shined more brightly over Philly than afterwards.

What did the Sixers get in return?  Well, they received a first round draft pick.  But it was a top ten protected pick in 2015, is protected top ten pick in 2016, and is unprotected in 2017.  They also got Luc Mbah A Moute, a veteran player who played some for the Sixers, but who explored free agency.  He signed onto the Sacremento Kings, but failed the physical.   He had a 9.9 PPG and a 4.9 RPG average for the Sixers in his lone season with the team.  They also received Alex Shved, a player who has played on four NBA teams in three years, three of which were all in the 2014-15 season.  Shved played just 17 games for us, and a 9.9 PPG and 1.3 RPG average.   Shved was traded after the season, despite playing point guard, the position of need this year.

Shved was a bench player, make no mistake.  But the 76ers are a team in rebuild mode, and with a turnstyle of players, someone who would be both a constant and dependable would have had a great deal of value for the team. Shved can come off the bench, direct traffic, and sink a shot with good accuracy.  Every team needs someone like that.  The Houston Rockets did, and become part of the three team trade that sent a second round pick  to the Sixers. What the Sixers did with that pick was select shooting guard JP Tokoto.

Sixers grade:  B- (had they kept Shved for this season, grade would be an A)

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