With $18 million left on the last year of his contract, the 76ers have decided to pull the plug on Elton Brand, using the NBA’s amnesty clause. Teams will be able to bid on Brand’s services beginning July 11th, and according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have already been rumored to have expressed interest in the 6’9″ power forward. The Sixers will now have to lean on the shoulders of the up-and-coming Lavoy Allen, and possibly rookie Arnett Moultrie, with a sprinkle of Thad Young (when playing smaller lineups).
Mavericks, sources say, are one under-the-cap team to already express interest in claiming Elton Brand through amnesty waiver process
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 6, 2012
I liked when the Sixers signed Brand, albeit to too much money in 2008. I knew he was closer to the end of his career than the beginning when the Sixers signed him but he was a veteran player who had averaged 20-and-10 for most of his career and was known to play strong defense as well. This wasn’t Glen Robinson, Chris Webber or Kenny Thomas. When Brand had season ending shoulder surgery though in 2009, I knew it would set him back and it did. He never seemed the same since the injury, and already wasn’t the same player after rupturing his achilles tendon while playing with the LA Clippers.
The Sixers will now be even younger than they were last year, and are losing one of the only players on their roster who actually had a defined position. The reality is though, Brand just wasn’t a formidable player anymore on the court.
One thing is for sure, Brand was always as stand up guy with the media and fans, and a model citizen off the court.
In other news, Lou Williams just announced on Twitter that he won’t be coming back next year.
Philly, I appreciate you all. Unfortunately I will not be coming back, as an organization they decided to move in a different direction.
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) July 6, 2012
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July 06, 2012
