THE FLATS – Reports say that the Toronto Raptors want to sign Thaddeus Young … Look back at the 2007 NBA draft when Young was selected 12th overall … What is Josh Okogie’s future in Minnesota? … Jose Alvarado visits NOLA Boys and Girls Club … Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher continue pre-draft workouts … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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REPORT: RAPTORS WANT TO RE-SIGN THADDEUS YOUNG
From Raptors Rapture and HoopsHype:
“The Toronto Raptors were a bit more robust on the bench in the second half of the 2021-22 season than they were in prior months, and the performance of Thad Young had a ton to do with that. He was exactly the type of selfless veteran mentor that a young squad needed.
After acquiring him from the San Antonio Spurs in a move that saw the Raptors finally part with Goran Dragic, Young helped inject new life into a Raptors bench that had ranked among the worst in the league for large chunks of the season. Young used his impending free agency as a springboard to push the Raptors to the postseason.
The Raptors have to make some tough decisions in the offseason, as both Young and Chris Boucher are free agents. Irrespective of what happens with No. 25, the latest buzz is making it seem like Masai Ujiri desperately wants to make sure that Young comes back to Toronto.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Raptors want to bring back Young for 2022-23 and beyond. Raptors insider Blake Murphy laid out a path towards resigning him. With about $31 million in wiggle room under the tax threshold, Toronto could sign Young and Boucher while using the mid-level exception.”
Young is rated as a mid-level exception, No. 6 among available power forwards, by John Hollinger in The Athletic: “I struggled with whether to list Young at center or power forward, but at 6 foot 8 and 235 pounds, his optimal usage case is next to a center who can shoot. Young’s ability to defend the perimeter in switches against smaller players remains a plus even at 34, but his inability to stretch the floor makes him a liability if he can’t play from the elbows on offense. He’s a crafty passer and still spins in enough short-range lefty bank shots to keep defenses honest, whether as a small-ball five or a more traditional four. If the Raptors don’t bring him back, he should have a strong market on a short-term deal for at least the taxpayer midlevel exception.”
Sources: The Raptors and All-Star Fred VanVleet are expected to discuss a possible contract extension this offseason. He’s is eligible for 3 years, $89 million or he can decline his player option for the 2023-24 season and extend for 4 years, $114 million. https://t.co/JnXTP4VF7S
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 13, 2022
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15 YEARS AGO: THADDEUS YOUNG NBA DRAFT REWIND
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2007 NBA draft just looking to build something again. They suffered through a tough 2006-07 season after trading away franchise stalwart Allen Iverson after 15 games and then waiving Chris Webber as they slumped to a 35-47 record.
The Sixers held the 12th pick in the draft and a versatile big man fell in their laps in the form of Thaddeus Young out of Georgia Tech. The long, lanky lefty did it all for the Sixers as he earned the respect of his coaches and teammates right away.
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JOSH OKOGIE’S FUTURE IN MINNESOTA
Josh Okogie went from the starting five early in the 2021-22 season to one of the last guys off Chris Finch’s bench after about 41 games. What happened to cause such a drastic fall off? Was it his lack of offensive consistency, a log jam at the 2-guard, or just an overall fit issue? We may never know. But Okogie may need to make changes in his game if he wants to return to Minnesota next season.
Okogie’s first couple of seasons in the NBA were promising. He looked to be a key piece in what the Timberwolves were trying to build. We saw some holes in his offensive repertoire early, but his defensive aggressiveness and the heart he played with allowed Wolves fans to occasionally overlook those flaws.
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ALVARADO MAKES SPECIAL DELIVERY TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
New Orleans Pelicans player Jose Alvarado put his “Waitr jersey” on today and made a special delivery to a local Boys and Girls Club. Along with the delivery service Waitr, Alvarado dropped by the Westbank Boys and Girls Club earlier today for lunch, snacks and fun activities with the kids.
The Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans provided the lunch for 40 children who get their meals at the Westbank Boys and Girls Club now that schools are closing for the summer. But today was special as Alvarado took part in the club’s after-lunch activities including special basketball competitions with the kids while they enjoyed extra snacks provided by Alvarado and Waitr.
Jose Alvarado visiting Boys & Girls Club in Gretna. He walked in to kids saying, Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose!!! pic.twitter.com/nrTCQF7jM6
— juan kincaid (@juangkincaid) June 9, 2022
Jose Alvarado at the Boys and Girls Club on the Westbank this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/yax1mwFXIt
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) June 9, 2022
.@AlvaradoJose15 delivered snacks to @BGCA_Clubs and spent time with the kids today. ❤️🏀 pic.twitter.com/Gyvai113p6
— Octagon Basketball (@OctagonBsktball) June 9, 2022
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MICHAEL DEVOE WORKS OUT FOR WIZARDS
Good energy in the gym today for pre-draft workouts ⚡
Ochai Agbaji | @KUHoops
Ryan Allen | @DelawareMBB
MarJon Beauchamp | @gleagueignite
Michael Devoe | @GTMBB
Brady Manek | @UNC_Basketball
Cole Swider | @Cuse_MBB pic.twitter.com/96cmTY1AeR— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 10, 2022
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JORDAN USHER WORKS OUT FOR KINGS
Today’s Kings Pre Draft Workout 👑
▪️ James Akinjo
▪️ Jamaree Bouyea
▪️ Taz Sherman
▪️ Jordan Usher
▪️ Joshua Minott
▪️ Jeremy SochanWatch the workout here ➡️ https://t.co/nPZOKig82i pic.twitter.com/OBFXEUoDPB
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) June 14, 2022
