Nets' Thaddeus Young opts out of contract, will test free agency

 

Thaddeus Young has informed the Brooklyn Nets he will become a free agent, and general manager Billy King says they want to keep the forward and center Brook Lopez.

Young told the Nets on Monday, bypassing the $10.2 million he would have made next season in the final year of his contract. King says the Nets were expecting the decision.

Young was acquired from Minnesota for Kevin Garnett at the trade deadline and played well as the Nets overcame a slow start to make the playoffs.

Lopez has until the end of this month to let the Nets know if he is picking up his $16.7 million option. King says Lopez has been working out at the Nets' training facility, which he hopes is a good sign.

King also says the Nets made a qualifying offer to forward Mirza Teletovic, making him a restricted free agent and allowing them to match any offer.