Nets' Thaddeus Young opts out of contract to enter free agency

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As expected, Thaddeus Young has opted out of the final year of his contract, putting him in position to join the 2015 free agent class, Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King said Monday.

The 27-year-old forward held an early termination option on the final year - worth more than $10.2 million - of the five-year contract he signed in 2011.

That may seem like a lot of money to pass up, but Young may be looking for guaranteed long-term money this summer, he may be looking for a short-term deal to set himself up for free agency again once new TV revenues see the salary cap soar in 2016 and 2017, or he may simply want some control of the situation after being traded twice in the span of six months.

Before being shipped to the Nets at February's trade deadline, Young was part of last August's blockbuster trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers, with the Sixers sending him to Minnesota.

Young, who spent his first seven seasons in Philly, averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals in 76 games with the Nets and T-Wolves this season, but his shooting and overall play improved after his mid-season trade.

That improved play explains the Nets' desire to retain the two-way veteran.