Sixers reach five-year deal with Young

Share

Word that Thaddeus Young had signed a new five-year, 42 million contract with the Sixers interrupted the teams first practice of training camp.

In the middle of practice (we heard) and there was a round of applause because we are glad to have Thad back because he is a hell of a player, Elton Brand said.

I was so scared that someone was going to throw some ridiculous crazy money at him and put us in a trick bag, Doug Collins said. I am glad that didnt happen. I hope Thad is happy that he got a good deal.

We were definitely excited because Thad is a key part to our team, Evan Turner said. He definitely brings a lot of energy, great locker room guy and he plays hard, and the family that we are it felt weird that not everyone was here.

Young was a critical piece to one of the highest-scoring benches in the NBA last season. He averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, while shooting 54 percent from the floor.

Collins was petrified of losing one of his favorite pupils until Young, who will join the team on Saturday, gave his coach an indication that things would work out the way they did.

I texted him today and said, We are going to miss you here, today and he said I hope we get it done soon, Collins said. I said, Can I get a smile? and he sent me a big smiley face on the text, so that was the kind of thing I wanted to see.

E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com

Contact Us