THE FLATS – Thaddeus Young putting up strong numbers in fewer minutes … Josh Okogie’s improved play parallels the Timberwolves hit streak … Derrick Favors has good days and bad days physically … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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YOUNG PLAYING WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY
Thaddeus Young accumulated 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes during Monday’s 110-102 win over the Heat.
The 32-year-old bounced back from Saturday’s six-point effort to post his fourth double-digit point effort over his last five games. Young was averaging 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting 63.3 percent from the field in his previous three games before Saturday’s performance, so Monday’s bounce-back game was an encouraging sight for fantasy managers. The 14-year veteran’s minutes have been up and down lately, but he should continue receiving anywhere between 18-25 minutes a game the rest of the way for the 12th-seeded Bulls.
Young ended with 14 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 17 minutes during last Wednesday’s 121-105 loss to the Cavaliers.
Despite being arguably the Bulls‘ best player, Young was still limited to just 17 minutes. His role has reduced since the arrival of Daniel Theis, yet he continues to be a standard-league worthy player.
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YOUNG CONTINUES TO BUILD INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
Thaddeus Young is among three Chicago Bulls players participated in an $80 million Series C funding round for Overtime, a sports media company founded in 2016 that’s planning a major expansion. This includes the introduction of a new basketball league called Overtime Elite, which will be for top high school basketball players and will pay them a minimum salary of $100,000. Young has built up quite the portfolio, including recent investments in Trufan and Shoot 360. The veteran is an avid investor who’s always on the lookout for the next big thing.
More from Forbes.com
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YOUNG REMAINS ATTRACTIVE TRADE TARGET POST-SEASON
Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young was one of the most coveted trade targets in the NBA prior to the trade deadline.
Bobby Marks of ESPN conducted a poll in which executives around the league were asked which players aside from Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal could have the most drastic impact on the “playoff landscape.” Young was the “unanimous answer” to this question, per ESPN.
The Bulls retained Young through the deadline as they attempted to make a playoff push of their own. But the 32-year-old will be on an expiring contract next season. Might Chicago float Young to add draft capital?
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OKOGIE AND TOWNS PRESENT WINNING GAME BALL TO FLOYD FAMILY
Tuesday night in Houston, Timberwolves players Josh Okogie, Karl Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards gave that dedicated Sacramento game ball to the family of George Floyd (who live in Houston), reports Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
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OKOGIE LOOKING GOOD IN WINNING STREAK
Minnesota has won its last three games, four of its last five, and Josh Okogie has played well throughout, averaging 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists during the last five while hitting 13-of-27 shots from the floor and averaging nearly 24 minutes per game.
The Timberwolves swept a back-to-back with Western Conference leader Utah, with Okogie scoring eight points in each while hitting 6-of-13 shots from the floor.
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HOW IS FAVORS DOING PHYSICALLY?
Derrick Favors gotta be getting up there, age-wise, right? After all, he’s been in the league forever, and there’s plenty of nights where he looks like he’s slowing down a bit and losing some of his athleticism.
Fav is 29.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Which is perhaps of even more concern to Utah Jazz fans who worry that the big man has maybe lost a step. Him recently missing a couple games due to right knee soreness probably only exacerbated those fears.
More from the Salt Lake Tribune
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#ProJackets on Social Media
We got eyes on three straight.
Wolves at Rockets
8 PM, Toyota Center📺 » @BallySportsNOR PLUS
📻 » @wccoradio
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— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 27, 2021
I’m excited to announce my virtual tour for #LetterstoaYoungAthlete. These virtual events are the best way to get a signed copy of my new book. Keep an eye out for exciting announcements about special guests coming soon! Tickets and info at https://t.co/xOKzmrIKcs @penguinpress pic.twitter.com/ISdjyW3tMg
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 23, 2021
Happy Sunday! #LeaveIt #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/nsKEuq83uf
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 25, 2021
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
