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Brand's playing days with Sixers officially over

The action Sunday by the 76ers was basically just a formality.

Elton Brand had already announced his retirement Thursday, ending a career that started when Chicago chose him with the first overall pick in the 1999 draft. His retirement is expected to become official this weekend, once the squad concluded the preseason.

So Sunday morning, the Sixers announced they had waived Brand.

This was Brand's second go-around with the Sixers. He signed with the team on Jan. 4 to be a mentor for the young players.

In the offseason, the 37-year-old signed a contract for $984,310 for this season. He has made $165 million over his career. There was a thought that the Sixers would release Brand after the preseason and he would assume a front-office position.

His departure leaves the Sixers with 19 players. League rosters have to be trimmed to 15 players on Monday. Free-agent acquisitions Brandon Paul, Cat Barber, James Webb III, and Shawn Long are the likely candidates to be released. The Sixers signed them to partially guaranteed deals this summer so the team could have their NBA Development League rights. They will play for the Delaware 87ers if they choose to go the D-League route.

The Sixers did approach Brand about accepting a front-office position. He said Thursday that he hasn't ruled it out.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.