ESPN: Brand to Sign With Sixers

Marc Stein, who previously broke the story that the Sixers were gearing up to sign either Elton Brand or Josh Smith by clearing salary cap room, is now quoting sources stating that Brand has told the team he will accept a five-year deal worth an estimated $82 million and come to Philly.

Earlier, we received a message that Elton Brand had a VIP table at the posh Table 31 tonight, but we didn't get word on whether there was a champagne toast. Apparently there was cause for celebration, and if these reports are true, we'll probably be seeing much more of Brand downtown. No free agency deals can officially be made until after midnight, but it sounds like Brand will be a Sixer come tomorrow morning.

Stein also says the Sixers may have netted a second-round pick in the deal they had agreed upon with Minnesota, which sent Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, and a first-rounder to the Timberwolves in exchange for the extra cap space it would require to net a big talent like Brand.

On Comcast SportsNite, Phil Jasner of the Daily News reported that Brand likely took a lesser offer from the Sixers than what he might have netted from Golden State, and also that the Clippers went out and signed Baron Davis to a big deal thinking that Brand would be returning. By all accounts, the Sixers' nabbing a post player of Brand's caliber, who wasn't expected to come East, is a coup.

As long as he is/stays healthy...

Comments

[random]

hot damn! this is ridiculous

[GreggyD]

I believe you meant Josh Smith in the post. But I follow.

[GreggyD]

I'm glad the Sixers got something more than cash for all that they gave the T'Wolves. I think Brand will definitely give us the low post scoring that we so desperately need, but I don't know if he'll be able to run with this team especially after that Achilles tear. This could turn out to be great and Brand could be one of the best big men in the East, or he could be oft-injured and it turns out to be a total bust. The beginning of the Ed Stefanski regime in Philadelphia officially begins with this signing. I hope he made the right choice.

[TJ]

I like Josh Smith with being young and a little more athletic. There was obviously something with Smith that the sixers didn't like.

After Stafanski turned the nets around and what he has done for the sixers so far...whatever he says/does I'll be fine with

[Kulp]

I'm honestly not thrilled. I'm not upset either, Brand is a very good player who fills the team's most glaring hole. Simply put, I don't like the idea of giving five years guaranteed to a big 30-year-old coming off a serious injury, unless he could be the difference between winning or not winning a championship. Barring a blockbuster deal, this team is still at least a year away.

[Zack]

lets just hope this isn't another Chris Webber

[bizurk]

At least he'll be cheaper than the roughly $1.5 million a game he cost the Clips last year..... Here's hoping all 260 lbs of him will be easier on that achilles than, say, Stinkston.

[Mike]

Good for the Sixers. I wish another team in this city who is close to a title, oh for example the PHILLIES, would follow their example and make a play for a big time player. But who am I kidding?

[thomas]

I'm glad the Sixers are going to get Brand. Miller, Iguodala, Young, Brand and Dalembert; I like that starting 5. The only drawback I can think of immediately is that Carney really came on after the Korver trade, not only with his ability to run the floor, but hit the open three in clutch situations. I'll take Brand over Josh Smith for two reasons: 1. Signing Brand is a done deal, as opposed to waiting seven days with Smith to see if the Hawks would match (which I feel they will) and 2. Brand is that tough low post presence that has been lacking with the Sixers for a very long time, and I say that with all respect to Reggie Evans and his contributions to the team last year.

[quris]

elton brand isn't going to win you any championships. he's a nice component to a young team but with his alleged contract eating up the rest of the money the sixers had to play with, I'm not sure this was really the long term answer they were looking for. Oh yeah and he's 30 and coming off a major achilles injury - that'll fit in perfectly with the fast break offense the team ran so well last year.

[Brett]

*sigh Im a physical therapist (and not just on tv) while an Achilles Tendon rupture is serious, and mostly seen in jumping sports like basketball. From personal experience as long as the doctor is good (it was Dr. Craig Morgan Shilling's Ankle surgeon) recovery for the average person is very good.

Elton Brand is known as a hard worker and he had a lot more resources available to him so I can assum he AT LEAST got to the same level I see my patients. The good thiing about the Achillies is, unlike ACL or meniscal, it is not a problem or stability or power and the person, after working out on it, should have no worries about recovery.

This surgery is a lot less risky than microfracture surgery that Amare Stoudemire and Oden have gone through and they are performing great, so expecting Brand to come back to form is not out of the question

Even look at his stats Even in the 8 games after his injury: 17.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.9 blk, .456 fg%
and thats coming BACK from injury
Great move by the sixers

Now phillies GET A STARTER

[Brett]

ACL or meniscal injury btw

[Phils Phan]

@ Brett:

The way Pat, Ruben, and the unnamed five are going, we're going to end up trading for Lohse. Again. :)

[Brett]

I know, theyre sinking like a ROCK

[Chewy Wellington]

I could not be happier. Fans should be rejoicing that we now have arguably the second best pf in the east (after garnett). Who in the east is going to bang with him down low?

I love Reggie Evans as an energy guy off the bench getting 10-12 minutes a game. This should help save Brand. Further, in the east you could go small, shift him to center and play Thaddeus at the 4.

Also thrilled to hear that we picked up a second round pick in the deal. As you all know, when it comes to drafting foreign players, second round picks are more valuable than first round picks (and you don't necessarily have to guarantee the salary of whoever you pick).

Still need to find a 2 guard. This probably means that Iggy needs to get traded. The only sg name I have been hearing on the market is Gordon, and I don't think he's right for this team. I would love Crawford, but I doubt a deal with the Knicks would go down and I'm not a huge fan of his attitude.

All in all, this Sixers fan is very happy.

[theKrisheim]

lance parrish part II

[WOOT]

I really want to see him and Sammy working together next year on Defense. Also hopefully Speights can show some Thad style potential coming off the bench. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season now.

[Brett]

I love the fans, one of the best players in the game forgoes more money (GS) and his adoptive hometown (LA) to come to us.

He's no Lance Parrish he's a legitimate 20-10 with 2blks per game to go with Sammy at 2 blocks per game. The sixers will not get banged around by a lot of teams and hes only 29. Hmm i wonder if anyone can play at a top level at that age. *cough* Kobe, Dirk, Steve Nash past the age of 29 *cough*

Plus he doesnt even have a lance parrish mustache! thats gotta mean something!

[Brett]

yes a front court of Brand and Sammy with Evans giving both a rest and Speights gets experience does make my heart feel good. Plus the rook will learn something from playing with Brand who can actually lead him.

Whats the starting line-up btw
1-miller 2- Iggy (if resigned) 3-Thad/Willie 4-Brand 5-Sammy with Evans, either thad/willie, Lou, heavy rotation Jason Smith, Speights, and Ollie is light rotation?

Also, Garnett with the Celts and Bosh/O'Neal for the raptors will be good battles.

[ron]

Amazing signing!!!
I'm feeling good about Andre, Andre, Thad, Elton and Sammy in the East!

[Saul]

@Brett:
Willie Green is a 2, I believe. He's a player I really think they need to get rid of. He takes awful shots and just generally makes things worse. Fortunately, he's a free agent after next season.

I still would have preferred to see Smith, if only for his ability to run the floor and also his age. 29 is not too old, but 22 is still much younger. Then again, Brand will be much better for our half-court game, which was so bad it basically didn't exist. Every time a team made us play a half-court game last year, we got killed. Brand will help that very much. Brett's earlier post makes me feel MUCH better about his injury, though. All in all, I'm slightly warmer than lukewarm about this. I still would have preferred Smith, but Brand is by no means a bad option. I'm not quite as optimistic as some of the other commenters here, but I think we're doing some good things. The Sixers still DESPERATELY need a shooter and I will be quite cautious about saying anything positive until we get SOMETHING. Iggy is not a reliable long-range shooter, and we've just traded away Carney, who wasn't awful in that area. We need a shooter before we can make any real noise. Period. And this team has a RIDICULOUS amount of forwards. Getting rid of Carney was, from that angle, a good move.
Overall, I feel good about this, but there is certainly still work to be done before we become a legitimate championship contender. Find me a shooter, and I'll feel much, much better.

[Saul]

And we need a backup center now....

[Brett]

Saul,
I agree we can ahave a difference of opinion as Smith is a VERY good player a well and thats preference. With Detroit it was just frustrating to see every rebound (when Det tried) go the other way. Plus Brand is a good leader which Smith has been accused of not being. Preferences Preferences though :)

I also completely agree with the shooter coment,b ut its easier to find a shooter (if not this year than next) than to find a legitimate low post scorer.
Did Kyle Korver's brother come out last year? HA

[Brett]

Sorry about the bad spelling

[Brett]

Sorry last post until some more people respond.

I put Green as a 3 more as the 3rd starting guard that he was and not that he is a SF.

[Saul]

Also, Ian Thompsen at SI.com just made a point that I'm surprised that no one else - including myself - has mentioned yet: We've been saying all year that Iggy is a real #2 who would be much better with a legit #1 player in front of him. Well... Brand is just that. He can carry an offensive load while allowing Iggy to show his considerable talents as a complementary guy. And the leadership he provides... The more I read about the Brand deal, the more I like it. I like what Stefanski's doing here. Good work, sir. I hope this all works out.

[clicheguevara]

Last season I was worried about signing Brand or Smith because of the considerable risk involved with both (injury/attitude). Then for the last month I have been worried that we won't be able to land either of the two and that the offseason would be a bust. And now that we have the top prize, I can't help but be worried this will turn into another Webber situation.

OK, it definitely won't be that bad. Being a Philadelphia fan, I just won't rest easy until things actually begin to work.

Those poor, poor Clippers fans.

[Brett]

Brand's ankle is fine, he's not as surly as Webber, and he is much younger.

[Kulp]

I have my doubts, but I just don't see the Webber comparison. They may play the same position, but he is a different player, and more importantly, this is a far different team. Elton Brand will not necessarily bring us a parade, but I don't anticipate a $30 mil buyout either.

[TH]

@ Saul

We need a scoring 2 with the ability to create his own shot more than we need a backup freaking center (besides, Reggie Evans fills that role well)

[SteveS]

Please tell me there is someone else out there that is not happy with this move as much as me. I actually don't think I want Brand on this team at all. And Jason Smith is gone, and the Phils lost again.....??? Somebody needs to turn this around.

[Jonn]

The starting 5 looks amazing now. NBA championship here we come!! Maybe.

[johndewar]

Very surprised at some of the negativity about this pickup.

This is a great move that improves this team immediately! I mean, isn't this the type of player we bitched about needing all last winter?

He defends, he has a full complement of low-post moves.....the only risk is that he's been injured, but you have to assume that's all been checked out as OK.

Now Easy Ed Stefanski needs to find us a shooter.

[al]

the sixers wont trade igoudala for smith!!!!!! u wont sixers!!!

[TH]

@ SteveS

I don't know what's so bad about Jason "o hai trade me 2 teh debils" Smith leaving town.

[Saul]

John Hollinger on ESPN has a fantastic article about how much tihs improves the Sixers; he sees us in the Finals as soon as 2 years from now. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Brand-Sixers-080709

[j13]

I definitely think that this is the move that will put the Cavs over the top.

Wait, the sixers signed him? Well, I guess just getting to the playoffs is fun.

The young guys better come up fast and better than I think they will if this team's gonna get out of the first or second round of the playoffs.

I've got the Chris Webber douche chills.

[Andrew]

Firstly, the "we should've signed Josh Smith" talk is silly. Atlanta was matching any offer Smith got.

Brand is one of the better 4's in the league. What, you'd rather have the amazing trio of Reggie Evans, Thaddeus Young (who's an awesome player, but not a 4) and Jason Smith at the 4 this year? Please. Yes, there's a risk with his ACL, but it's a risk worth taking. This is not Chris Webber redux.

[Brett]

@j13
So, um the team didn't get better with this deal? Are you complaining they aren't getting to a championship this year with Brand? Would they have with Smith? I would love to hear the suggestion. They are prob 3rd/4th in the East and they need the inside prescence because Boston, the Raptors and Pistons have good front courts

@Andrew
It was his AChilles. Weekend warriors get back to playing basketball with little difficutly. Brand will be fine :)

[j13]

@Brett

Yeah, they got better...so what?? I am complaining, not that they won't get there *this* year, but that I think this will preclude them from getting there for the next *five* years.

You've apparently not followed my posts on here (not that you'd have any reason to, of course, but if you're getting a bit snippy then it's worth noting that I've been consistent) - my suggestion was to stand pat for the year and grab a *real* star next year, when the market is supposed to be stronger. If you're not going to win a championship in the next couple of years by making this move, then why blow your hard-earned cap advantage on a good player that's not a superstar.

Brand could be Scottie Pippen to a team's jordan, but he's not The Man to carry you through to a championship. He's not a real centerpiece, a Garnett, a Kobe, a LeBron, etc., and that's what this team needs. I'd argue that by waiting and either grabbing a better player next offseason *or* using your cap space to grab a disgruntled star somewhere is a much, much, much stronger option.

I'm 30, and for all intents and purposes I've never seen a championship in any of the sports - I was 5 and barely remember the 1983 win. In my lifetime I've seen a TON of playoff births, and I'm just not interested in those anymore. Anything that doesn't meet that end (and that end only) at this point no longer appeals to me in the slightest.

[Kulp]

@j13

Couldn't have said it better myself. What happens between this year and next will dictate whether the Sixers make the leap to championship contender, not the addition of Brand.

[clicheguevara]

Backup center shouldn't be necessary, we've already got Reggie, JSmith, and a healthy Herbert Hill, who may be a perfect fit for our cheap backup C of the future, to fill in.

In fact, we could shop Reggie and JSmith around since we now have a bit of a glut at the PF/C. We should be able to get a decent shooter for either a veteran banger coming off one of his best years or a young, improving offensive PF with a solid year of experience for a playoff team. Trade JSmith for: Morris Almond? Alando Tucker? Mardy Collins? Ramon Sessions?

Now all we need to figure out is how the hell to get rid of Willie Green.

[clicheguevara]

I understand your frustration, j13, but Garnett and Kobe aren't going anywhere and LeBron is sure as hell not coming to Philadelphia. Neither is Tim Duncan. How many other players are there in the NBA that match the superstar description you are asking for? Maybe Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul? Dwight Howard someday? It's a short list and none of them are leaving in the foreseeable future. And the only one who could even possibly move in two years, DWayde, would be useless without a big man like Brand.

I would take Brand over TMac, Boozer, Amare, and an aged Steve Nash. He is the closest thing to a superstar we are ever going to get. There ARE no better players next offseason. And I think that you underestimate just how good Brand is. Before his injury, which by the way was to his Achilles and should not have any lingering effects, Brand led a weak Clippers team to the second round of the playoffs and almost upset the Suns. Boozer and Amare may have more firepower, but at best they provide half the defense that Brand will give us. He is a premiere defender and an offensive force.

Garnett and Duncan are better than Brand. Can you find another PF who is?

[AndyG]

@clicheguevara

Exactly. Sure...let's get Kobe or Garnett! Except, they aren't going to be available. D. Wade *might* be, but he needs a legit big man to play alongside of...it's great that the market "should" be stronger, but that doesn't mean we'd get a player better than Brand. Bron Bron didn't have Philly in his sights. We know that.

I think getting Brand was the best possible move. He's a better fit for the team than Wade would be next year. He's a better fit than Smith is this year. And for the record, I haven't been alive for any Philly title. And yes, it sucks. But unless we pull a Spurs and rest our stars this year to get the #1 pick in next year's draft, this was the best possible addition we could make in the foreseeable future.

[Brett]

@j13

about me getting "snippy" My question is who do they sign this year then as a improvement towards next year. The Eagles get killed every year for have money under the cap and Sixers would have $11 million under if they "wait" The question is do you want them to sign a bunch of one year contracts and try again next year? The money doesn't carry over. The only big name coming off next year is Miller and his salary isnt that great. You say "wait til next year, but you fail mention names

The "big" free agents of 2009: Allen Iverson (we've been down that road) Kobe Bryant (coming to philly? bwahaha) Jason Kidd (old, can't shoot, surly old man) Miller (we can resign if we want) Lamar Odem (the true Scottie pippen reference) Rasheed (good player but older and slighlty less talented than Brand) Marion (great talent) Richard Hamilton (we'll likely keep iggy) and Boozer (besides Garnett the only PF id rather have than Brand)

I don't see what move they could make that would make them championship contenders. If you put Marion (remember Miami last year) or Boozer in the same spot or have Hamilton instead of Brand is the team going to be a championship contented.

Just be content they got a top 5 guy at his position, likely top 3. And hey next year we can get our boy Kyle back to be the shooter. :)

[Brett]

@Andy
ESPN at least lists Wade as a UFA in 2010

[Zach]

I love the signing but I still don't see the sixers being more than a 5 seed or so in the east. Celts, Pistons, Magic, Cavs plus the Raptors, Bulls and Heat will be a lot better than last year. If anything it keeps us on par with the other teams in the east who have improved this offseason but in no means pushes us over the top.

[Andrew]

Wade is a UFA in 2010, and he's either staying in Miami or going to Chicago. Bron Bron is either staying in Cleveland or going to New York. Bosh is probably re-signing in Toronto. So even in the great offseason of 2010 there wasn't anything better than this.

(I'm an exiled Philly sports fan living in South Florida. It makes me very sad how many titles I've seen down here since I moved here)

(and if you wanted Marion instead of Brand, just call Pat Riley. All I heard since late June on sports talk radio down here has been "trade Marion for Brand!")

[Brett]

Marion when asked in an interview if he watned to be the #1 top money guy on a 20 win team (or losing team) or the second fiddle being paid less on a championship admitted he wanted the money over the championship

Brand is a great signing, they wont be the Celts next year but its a very good step.

[AndyG]

@Brett

Gotcha...I heard others kicking his name around and assumed he'd be available.

I think the fact that Brand is...by all accounts, a kickass human being is being overlooked. We have a young team and Brand's influence on those guys has some value as well.