Sixers Angling for Brand?
When Josh Smith left town without an offer from the Sixers, it turned a few heads even though it was before the date that official deals could be made. It also left the door wide open for the team to keep its eyes on other prized free agents. With Atlanta pledging to match any offer for the Smith, it makes sense for the Sixers to explore all options, and per an ESPN report by Marc Stein, they might be gearing up for a legit run at Clippers forward Elton Brand.
In the face of a longstanding leaguewide consensus that Brand would return to Hollywood to form a new partnership with Clipper-to-be Baron Davis, sources say that the Sixers are growing increasingly confident in their ability to create additional salary-cap space by trading away swingman Rodney Carney and center Calvin Booth, setting them up to make a sufficiently rich offer Brand would struggle to refuse.
Dealing away Carney and Booth -- with Minnesota and Memphis quickly emerging as possible destinations -- would shed nearly $3 million from the Sixers' payroll next season as long as the trade doesn't require new GM Ed Stefanski to take any salary back.
Stein's got a lot more on what it would take to deal the pieces and free up space to sign Brand, definitely a good read if you're following the NBA FA situation. He also says the Sixers remain interested in Smith. In any case, it's great to see that Ed Stefanski isn't hesitating to get creative and make his mark in Philly.
duke sucks
Posted by: theKrisheim | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I am still firmly convinced that Smith is the right man for this team: hi ability to block shots, run the floor, and score in the low post are the perfect combination for the current Sixers. Brnd can only supply the low-post scoring, which is admittedly the most pressing need that this team has. But even so, I'm pulling really, really hard for Smith and viewing Brand as a consolation prize.
Posted by: Saul | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 10:43 AM
According to Yahoo sports this trade has been finalized (although they can't officially announce it until tomorrow).
Brand would be a much better signing than Josh Smith, assuming he's healthy. Brand would instantly become one of the best big men in the East and provide the Sixers with some half court offense - something they were desperately missing in the playoffs last year.
Posted by: PotsnPans | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 11:05 AM
According to what I am reading, the Sixers should have over $11M in cap room when the cap is announced tonight. At that point, if they move Booth and Carney (I would hate to see him go), that would leave around $15M to shell out to Brand for the first year, an amount that the Clippers cannot even match financially.
I hope the Sixers did their homework on Brand's health issues. When he is healthy, he is definitely a force. The question is what kind of shape he is in. If Stefanski and co are confident, this could wind up being a really smart and strong move if it happens.
Posted by: Rosey | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Go after Brand first and throw the most money at him because he can be a force offensively with good defence while Sammy concentrates on defence. Plus hes a leader and a great guy. since he is the unrestricted free you can try to throw the money at him see what he says. If he refuses Smith will still be there since its the Hawks and Sixers and if you go after Smith first your money is already tied up.
Also read the yahoo article, if he waited to see what the sixers did that would be great. People would actually want to come here or stay (Iggy) here.
Posted by: Brett | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:36 PM
since it seems like its just the sixers and the hawks who can afford him
Posted by: Brett | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Not a fan of this deal. I think we have the money to get the Smith deal done as it is. Carney is only a few years removed from being a first round pick and has shown flashes of brilliance. This also decreases the sixers ability to trade Iggy down the road (something I think they need to do) as Carney is a more than adequate backup at the 3 and maybe the 2.
Posted by: Chewy Wellington | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:37 PM
If Chris Wallace is involved in the deal we got the better end.
Posted by: Brett | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:50 PM
If Chris Wallace is involved in the deal we got the better end.
Posted by: Brett | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:50 PM
According to yahoo, the Carney/Booth deal to Minny is done.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlXq2tZkwXYF4WBub.ltGbg5nYcB?slug=aw-phillytrade070608&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Posted by: AndyG | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Oops...didn't realize that was posted already. My bad.
Posted by: AndyG | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I don't think Carney has shown anything more than...say...Tim Thomas showed in his early years. I think he's quickly losing his trade value and now is a good time to let him go.
Posted by: AndyG | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:54 PM
would like to get my hands on one of those young memphis pgs.
Posted by: Chewy Wellington | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 12:59 PM