Young denies asking for trade
76ers forward Thad Young, the subject of trade rumors, said Friday he has not asked the team to deal him.
Speaking after the morning shootaround for Friday night's Brooklyn game, Young poked fun at an Internet report that said he and his agent, Jim Tanner, submitted a formal trade request to Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie weeks ago.
"I just think it's all funny how it's sources that say I asked to be traded," Young said. "At the end of the day, like I said, I'm here 110 percent each and every game, ready to play and just stay focused and try to win basketball games."
He said Tanner did talk to Hinkie about various situations, including potential trade talks and trade rumors involving him.
"I think the biggest thing is we want to be sure what it is we are doing here," Young said. "As a right now, like I said I'm 110 percent."
However, the Sixers are entertaining trade discussions about him, and maybe swingman Evan Turner and center Spencer Hawes as well.
One recent trade rumor involved Young being shipped to Houston in exchange for disgruntled center Omer Asik.
The Sixers (7-19) take a seven-game losing streak into Friday night's game at the Wells Fargo Center. They have yielded a combined 42 three-pointers in their last two losses to Portland (139-105) and the Nets (130-94).
"I know that there's been some talks about me being traded," Young said, "and me having a lot of frustration and stuff like. But that comes with losing basketball games.
"People have to realize when you are in a losing situation like we are now, people are going to get frustrated. Everybody is going to tense up a little bit. That's basically what's been happening."
In his seventh season — all with the Sixers — Young is averaging 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.35 steals.
Young is under contact for another season and has a player option for the 2015-16 campaign. But through Hinkie's conversations with Tanner, Young realizes that his time in Philadelphia could be short.
"He's exploring a lot of options," he said of what Hinkie told his agent. "If there's something put on the table, he's going to listen. If there's nothing to be said, then there's nothing to be said.
"But right now, I think both parties are just going about it the right way. Just being professional, talking about the situations and talking about the options."
- Keith Pompey
Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers