According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Thaddeus Young will be picking up his player option for the 2018-19 season worth $13.7 million. Young is coming off a productive season for the Indiana Pacers in which he averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Young's season totals were very similar to his career numbers.

The upstart Pacers surprised many this season and came within one game of knocking off LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who would eventually go on to make the NBA Finals. The former first-round pick was a huge part of the Pacers' during the playoffs. His defensive versatility enabled him to cover multiple positions effectively.

He was regularly matched up with the likes of Kevin Love and LeBron James and although his Pacers eventually fell in seven games, his contributions to the team should not go unnoticed.

Young is well-suited for playoff basketball. Teams are committed to establishing the pick and roll in search of mismatches. But Young is hardly the player who teams seek out in these situations. He's athletic enough to hang with smaller, quicker guards—to an extent—and he's big enough where he can handle opposing big men if necessary.

In addition to his defense, Young is no slouch on the offensive end either. While no one would mistake him for a knockdown three-point shooter, his career 33 percent shooting from deep is enough to keep the defense honest. He's not a classic stretch four, but he is no liability on either end of the court.

Young took to Twitter after informing the team that he will opt in to thank the Pacers fanbase and deliver a strong message about giving 110 percent.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Pascal Siakam with hearts all over him with the Pacers logo and Tyrese Haliburton beside him

Jedd Pagaduan ·

cG9zdDoyODEzNTkw-thumbnail

Alex House ·

Bucks Damian Lillard NBA Playoffs Pacers

Peter Sampson ·

Young's decision to pick up his player option is a great deal for himself and for the Pacers.