The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly focused on finding a trade partner for a deal involving Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes. Trading Thaddeus Young, while still probable, appears to have taken a back seat, Liberty Ballers reports.
"Sources have expressed to Liberty Ballers that Philadelphia is stepping back from any trade negotiations for Thaddeus Young, and attempting to push a package of Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes," Jake Pavorsky of Liberty Ballers wrote on Thursday. "The source also went on to say that a few teams have shown interest, although rather minute, and no deal is close to imminent."
Turner, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2010 draft, is averaging a career-high 19.0 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. His contract expires after next season.
Hawes is also having a career year, averaging 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. The 7-foot-1 center becomes a free agent after this season. His name had previously been linked to part of a trade for Houston Rockets center Omer Asik.
Young was originally believed to be the Sixers' top trade asset. Along with Hawes, the 25-year-old power forward had been linked to a potential trade with Houston for Asik. Before the trade talks with Houston eventually ended, however, Young reportedly requested to be traded.
"Source: Weeks before his name came up in Omer Asik trade talks, Thaddeus Young submitted a formal trade request to (Sixers) weeks ago," Jake Fischer of Liberty Ballers tweeted on Dec. 19.
The cause of Young's discontent in Philadelphia reportedly was his disagreement with the team's plan to tank this season for the chance of a higher draft pick in 2014.
"Thad is ready to leave Philly," a source close to Young told Liberty Ballers. "He isn't with the whole tanking thing. ... Playing for the Sixers is wasting a year of Thad's career."
