Elton Brand signs 5-year deal with 76ers

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-10  |     ONLINE EDITION

Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski (left) and Elton Brand, the latest member of the Philadelphia 76ers, hold up Brand's jersey during a news conference yesterday, in Philadelphia. More in photo gallery

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PHILADELPHIA 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced yesterday that the team has signed unrestricted free agent forward Elton Brand.

Brand and the 76ers made it official on a five-year deal worth a reported US$82 million, a shrewd move that promptly turned the emerging franchise into Eastern Conference contenders.

"We are very excited about adding a player of Elton Brand's caliber," Stefanski said. "We fully believe that his considerable talent, wealth of experience and proven leadership will mesh very well with the style of play of this team and he will be valuable member of this organization for years to come."

"I'm prepared to do some big things this year," the two-time NBA All-Star said.

Brand was expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, and word was that there was an understanding between Brand, the team and Baron Davis that Davis would join the team, followed by the return of Brand.

Davis did verbally agree to become a Clipper back a week or so ago. But then the Warriors reportedly offered Brand big money, leading some to wonder if Elton was going to bail on the Clippers and head to Golden State.

The Sixers seemed to be a late entry into the Brand sweepstakes, but have managed to grab him, causing many to wonder if Brand just screwed the Clippers over. Some are comparing this to the situation in Cleveland when Carlos Boozer left the team to sign with the Jazz.

"Elton Brand is the exact type of player we want playing for the Sixers," Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider said. "He is a wonderful leader both on and off the court and the kind of gentleman who will have a tremendous and everlasting impact on our entire organization."

Brand, a nine-year veteran, has appeared in 614 career games with 609 starts, averaging 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.10 blocks and 0.94 steals in 38.3 minutes per game.

He joins Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal as the only active players to have career averages of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. Brand also ranks seventh among active players in offensive rebounding and has averaged 3.9 orpg for his career.

The 29-year-old enjoyed his finest season in 2005-06, helping the Clippers end their eight-year postseason drought. Brand averaged a career-high 24.7 points per game, finished seventh in voting for the Most Valuable Player award, earned All-NBA Second Team honors and was named to his second All-Star team (first coming in 2002). During the Clippers run to the Western Conference Semifinals, Brand averaged 25.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.58 blocks in 12 games played.