Brand era officially ends; Sixers complete Wright deal
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Brand era officially ends; Sixers complete Wright deal
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Sixers made it official today, finalizing the paperwork required to officially use the amnesty clause on forward Elton Brand.
"On behalf of the Philadelphia 76ers, I want to thank Elton for his contributions to our organization and city," said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn in a statement. "Decisions of this nature are never easy, particularly when it involves a player of Elton's talent and character. He worked tirelessly for the overall good of the team every time he put on a Sixers uniform and we wish him nothing but the best."
Amnesty allows the Sixers to remove the final year of Brand’s contract – worth almost $18.2 million – from their salary cap. Teams below the salary cap ($58 million) are permitted to bid for Brand’s services. That team will pay Brand a determined amount and the Sixers will pay the remainder of the contract.
The Sixers signed Brand to a five-year, $79 million deal on July 9, 2008. In four seasons with the team, Brand appeared in 246 games with 221 starts, averaging 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.33 block s and 1.01 steals in 31.5 minutes per game.
On Wednesday evening the Sixers completed a three-team trade with Golden State and New Orleans. The Sixers obtain forward Dorell Wright from Golden State and center Darryl Watkins from New Orleans. The Sixers sent the rights to Edin Bavcic to the Hornets, who are also trading Jarrett Jack to the Warriors.
This is really a steal for the Sixers. They trade a "nobody" and in return get a guy who was a starter. Can't complain about this move.— World2
Good luck to EB. He was a warrior and a good soldier. Sorry that the Philly Max wasn't as advertised, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. Hopefully, he will land on his feet with a contender. His work ethic is second to none.— FreeCable4Ever- EB = Class Act,thanks for your tireless hustle and heart!!— cmoney
- Your missing the best part of this:::: Our scouts....led by the great Tony DiLeo and Rod Thorn have really found that diamond in the rough....the next great find in the NBA......
His name is Darryl Watkins (6'11 265 Center)
The 76ers brass have been quietly scouting this guy since his on the Philadelphia New Jersey summer leagues as he dominated the Jardel league in Northeast Philadelphia. He would go on to play overseas at:
Tianjiin Ronggang of the China B/L
Sagesse of the Lebanese B/L....do they play hoops over there?
Etha Engamis of the famed Cyprus Team a true powerhouse in that part of the world
Are you freakin kidding me!!!!!!
Josh Harris you should be ashamed that this is what the off season has become!!!
***I do hope this does well...based on the road traveled he deserves it...— bbrady25 - Let me pretend like I am one of the kool-aid drinkers that praise every move, ahem. It is hard to find a 5 & 5 guy with that size and athletic ability. This is in line with their off-season focus to get longer and more athletic, because you know that is what we all were saying was the problem.
- Thanks again EB! You gave everything you had and all of us appreciate it. Game 7 against Boston was a heck of a way to go out. There will be a nice standing o waiting for you when Dallas comes to town next season— jhean7676
- So we pay the remainder minus what the new team pays him. So Brand picks the team he wants to go to most and if they want him they pay him the league minimum and we cover the rest. I don't see how it would go down any other way.— CBent1
- All eligible teams (teams under the cap) can put a onetime bid for him today...highest bid wins...Dallas Mavericks seem to have genuine interest,although with Louis Scola now also amnestied, that could change...and yes, the Sixers pay the difference from 18.2 mil to whatever the highest bid is. — bearsfriend
- $79 million minus the number of missed games because of injuries minus the countless times he could not close out to shooters minus the number of times he got abused on pick and roll defense = $15 million. EB/D. Falk stole money.— phillyinNJ
- Bearsfriend so Brand can't choose? That sounds better.— CBent1
- Good move all around, love what EB brought to the table, but it was just his time. As for the "fans" that want Iggy traded..are you watching what he is doing on the USA team? I will be pissed off if we trade him and dont get equal value back— Meekssucks
- Wow and think if we had just one other star alongside Iggy, he would be the next pippen. Look at what he's doing when he's not forced to be the #1 option smh— Meekssucks
- Brand COULD choose if nobody claims him off waivers. It sounds unlikely though because Dallas seems to be interested in claiming him. Hopefully someone else becomes interested and gets that bid up because the more they pay the less the 76ers do. I don't think it's gonna go high. Maybe the mid-level exception probably (at most) of $5 million. It'd mean 76ers "only" owe him $13 million to play for another team.
I do give props to Brand. It isn't his fault things turned out the way they did. Players can only sign for as much as teams are willing to pay. I still think we should have gone for Josh Smith but Atlanta would have matched as they overpaid for him as well. It's gonna get to a point where teams stop doing that as much. They are trying to be more financially responsible. But in a way it's the teams' fault for opening that pandora box $100+ million dollar contracts, insane deals for players like Rashard Lewis, J Howard, Chris Webber and yes Elton Brand. Most of these players got paid on the downside of their careers but in a way it evens out when they get underpaid as rookies. What bugs me is paying a player for potential. If we give Jrue the max we are saying it's ok for players to make demands here without really accomplishing anything. In a way this is DC's fault for saying he thinks Jrue is gonna be a top 5 pg. Jrue bought into that hype without living up to it...so far.
Anyway thanks to Brand for all his hard work and putting up with us fans in Philly. It can't be easy to play for this city...— joecooler2u - It's About D*mn Time.— Tyrone Biggums
- Darryl Finesse Watkins, who most know by his nickname, "Mookie." Sure to be a Battle of the Titans when Kwame gets here.
Not good when your beefcake center is names Finesse.— Shragez
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
