The Sixers have acquired Grizzlies swingman Sam Young for the rights to 2005 second round pick Ricky Sanchez.
The 6-foot-6 Young was a starter last year for a Memphis team that upset the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, and averaged 7.0 ppg on 47 percent shooting. He fell out of a deep rotation this season since Rudy Gay is now healthy and the Grizz still have O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen.
Memphis also moved below the NBA’s luxury-tax threshold by shipping Young’s $948,000 salary to the Sixers and Sanchez is not expected to play for the Grizzlies.
“Sam earned his keep around here and is clearly an NBA player," Memphis GM Chris Wallace told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He was a guy who was a big part of us being able to be successful when Rudy Gay went down last year. But teams evolve.”
Young was originally the 36th overall pick by Memphis in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. In 179 games with 49 starts for the Grizzlies, Young has averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game while shooting 45.5% from the floor, 24.3% from 3-point range and 77.6% from the line.
Last season, Young appeared in 78 games with 46 starts for Memphis, averaging 7.3 points on 47.2 percent shooting and had more steals (68) than turnovers (61). The Grizzlies finished the season 29-15 after he was named a full-time starter and were 30-16 overall with him in the starting lineup. Over the final 36 games, Young averaged 10.6 points in 48.8 percent shooting.
The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in team history last season, with Young appearing in all 13 games with 11 starts. He averaged 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game and had a playoff career-high 18 points in Game 5 of Memphis’ first round series vs. San Antonio.
This season Young is averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 21 games and gives Philadelphia more size and defense on the wing now that Evan Turner is entrenched in the starting lineup.
"We feel Sam's overall skill set can be a valuable asset to our team and he adds to our depth at two positions,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.
Young spent all four seasons at Pittsburgh and finished fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list. He was one of three seniors who comprised the all-time winningest class in Pitt history. As a senior, Young was an All-Big East First Team and AP All-American Third Team selection while also making the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.oung is averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 21 games and gives Philadelphia more size and defense on the wing now that Evan Turner is entrenched in the starting lineup.
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