Memphian Thaddeus Young, a free agent, has a lot to lose in NBA talks

haddeus Young isn't simply looking for an end to the NBA lockout.

The Mitchell High School product will have his eyes on the fine print of a new collective bargaining agreement -- particularly details involving the midlevel exception.

Young, a 6-8 forward, is coming off his fourth season with the Philadelphia 76ers and will swim in a pool of restricted free agents whenever a labor deal is reached.

Like Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, the 23-year-old Young is in a strange place given that no one knows what the new rules will be regarding free-agent signings. Those parameters, as well as inking a long-term deal, are on Young's mind as the lockout heads into its 110th day with federal mediator George H. Cohen trying to bridge the gap between the sides.

"That's definitely going to be a major factor for me as a player. I'll be a midlevel or higher," said Young, who had a breakout year with the Sixers as a supersub last season.

I definitely want to go back to Philly," Young said. "Coach (Doug) Collins is a great coach. I had my best season under him."

It's fair to say that Young has put optimism above a cash grab. Young said he turned down a $3 million offer to play in China this season. One reason few players have signed in China is because the teams there do not offer an out clause that would allow for a return to the NBA if the lockout ends in time to have a 2011-12 season.

"I weighed it really heavily for the simple fact that it would have been a great level of competition," Young said. "But I thought long term instead of short term. It was just a one-year deal. I don't just want to play someplace for one year. I want a long-term deal."

"The frustrating part is I'm a free agent and I want to play," Young said. "You can't really do anything but keep working out and staying in shape, and wait to hear what happens (with the labor situation). All you can do is hope and pray that we'll be able to play soon."