Wow.
What looked like a two-horse race for the services of Elton Brand became a three-horse race when the Sixers freed up enough money to offer the talented forward a five-year, $82 million contract. Marc Stein’s sources say Brand is headed to Philly.
Philadelphia has secured Brand’s verbal commitment, sources said, after first reaching an agreement in principle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a trade that, according to sources, will send Sixers forward Rodney Carney, center Calvin Booth and a future first-round pick to the Wolves without Philadelphia having to take back any salary. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the Sixers will receive a future second-round pick in return.
That trade will shave nearly $3 million off the Sixers’ payroll next season and increase what was already substantial salary-cap space, positioning them to sign Brand to a five-year deal believed to be starting in the $14-15 million range per year. Exact figures are expected to be available later Tuesday evening when the league reveals next season’s salary-cap figure to its 30 teams and the media.
Said one source close to the process: “Elton wants to go east.”
Silly me. I thought Brand meant what he said when he told the Clippers he intended to re-sign, especially if they landed an impact player like Baron Davis. Given the success he had producing “Rescue Dawn,” I thought staying in L.A. would be a priority for him.
I was wrong. Much like Carlos Boozer (supposedly) did before him, Brand says one thing and does another. And Philly is on the rise. They can now start a formidable lineup of Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Brand and Samuel Dalembert.
In other news, the Warriors quickly moved on from the Brand disappointment to sign his former teammate, Corey Maggette, to a deal believed to be worth $50 million over five years.
And now that the Sixers and Brand are out of the picture, the Clippers are the last likely suitor for Josh Smith. Atlanta can match any offer the Clippers make, but L.A. can go big. Smith is not as steady as Brand, nor does he fit as well age-wise with Davis, but he’s 22 and already a top 40 PER player in the NBA. The Clippers would be wise to make a strong push for the youngster.
Lastly, in what will no doubt be viewed as small potatoes, the Magic signed Mickael Pietrus to a deal that eats up most of their mid-level exception. That sounds pretty pricey for Pietrus, but he’s sort of a poor man’s Corey Maggette, so I can see the attraction. Pietrus showed flashes while in Golden State, but he never really seemed to fit in there. The Magic signed him because he can defend at off guard and he can hit the three.
