Thaddeus Young with a special 'thank you' to Nets fans

Earlier on Thursday, just hours before the 2016 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets traded away Thaddeus Young, arguably their second best player and possibly the most popular member of the 2015-16 Nets. Young was sent to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and a future, well-protected second round pick.

Young seemed to have rejuvenated his career as a member of the Nets, be it because of comfort in a system or the lack of true talent on the roster, fueling much of the "somebody's gotta score/rebound" noise. Still, Young and his family were truly embraced by Nets fans, especially once he became one of their own -- as the first member of the Nets to actually live in Brooklyn -- and even more so once Young and his wife were kind enough to send out signed memorabilia to Nets fans.

An amazing surprise and delight moment.

Last year I sent out gear signed by Thad to fans and this was so cute pic.twitter.com/hLMEeeNpxr

— Shekinah Young (@Mrs__Young30) June 23, 2016

Young played just 101 games with the Nets, but his relationship with the team and the fans ran deep. And that's why this afternoon, as the Nets traded a popular player for a player to be named later -- or, really, the number 20 -- we are all reminded that basketball is a business...

My family & I would like 2 thank the @BrooklynNets and the Nets fans 4 everything. U continued 2 uplift me this past season. Thank u all.

— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) June 23, 2016

...and that relationships are important, and your support, as a fan, can leave an impact.