Thaddeus Young Traded to Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Garnett
The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded Thaddeus Young to the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Garnett.
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Young Dealt to Nets
Thursday, Feb. 19
The Nets announced Thaddeus Young was trade to Brooklyn for Garnett.
Nets Look to Get Younger with Addition of Young
Wednesday, Feb. 18
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Marc Stein cited multiple sources reporting that the Brooklyn Nets were targeting Young.
Stein added more details on what led up to the trade:
"Garnett has insisted in recent weeks that he is not in the market for an in-season exit from Brooklyn, largely because he does not wish to displace his family in the middle of the season.
But the Wolves, sources say, are hopeful that the chance to play out what might be his final NBA season as a member of the team that drafted him out of high school in 1995 -- and under longtime coach Flip Saunders -- could lead Garnett to re-consider.
Saunders remains close with Garnett and is said to covet a reunion to bring back the most popular player in Wolves annals as a mentor to the many youngsters on the current roster, headlined by 2014's No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
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Despite the immediate and potential future value the 26-year-old Young represents for Minnesota, this trade could net the Timberwolves some compensation in return.
Young is owed over $9.7 million in salary in 2015-16, but he also has an early termination option in his contract. Given how woeful the 11-42 Timberwolves have been this season, it wouldn't be a surprise if Young were to opt out and test the free-agent market.
The move makes sense for the Nets in that Young is an asset they could perhaps convince to re-sign this summer if he helps them qualify for the playoffs in the East. It also gives Young incentive to play as hard as he ever has.
It will be interesting to see Garnett return to the Twin Cities, which is where he began his career, spent much of his prime and carried a lot of lackluster Timberwolves teams.
Although Garnett has an expiring contract himself and the previously mentioned no-trade clause, perhaps he'd be open to a return to his original NBA home.
The 38-year-old Garnett may well be in the midst of his last season. He might play in the postseason in Brooklyn, but he won't be seeing a ton of time on the court as it is.
Note: Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com.
