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Falcons May Have Figured It Out ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: GM of the Delaware Blue Coats, Elton Brand represents the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: GM of the Delaware Blue Coats, Elton Brand represents the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)Gary Dineen/Getty Images

Report: Elton Brand Hired as 76ers GM After Making 'Strong Impression' on Owners

Tim Daniels
Sep 18, 2018

Philadelphia 76ers vice president of basketball operations Elton Brand is reportedly being promoted to become the Sixers' new general manager.ย 

On Tuesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the former NBA power forward made a "strong impression on ownership and [head coach] Brett Brown" to beat out several candidates for the job.

Wojnarowski noted the hiring will be officially announced during a Thursday press conference and provided further details about Philly's organizational changes:

Brand, the first overall pick in the 1999 draft, retired from the NBA in October 2016 after a 17-year playing career that featured stops with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and two stints with the 76ers, including the final season of his career.

The 39-year-old Duke product averaged 15.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across 1,058 regular-season appearances.

His on-court resume includes two All-Star selections, co-Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis for the 1999-2000 season and an All-NBA Second Team choice for the 2005-06 campaign.

Former Philadelphia teammate Andre Iguodala celebrated the news on Twitter:

Brand joined the Sixers' staff in December 2016 as a consultant and added general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the team's G League affiliate, to his duties last August.

"It's a totally different mindset and a totally different type of energy," heย told reportersย at the time. "I'm discussing players and trades and the business side of it. I was exhausted yesterday. Basketball is one thing, but it was a different kind of tired. I'm looking forward to growing in that aspect."

Brand inherits one of the NBA's most talented rosters, led by franchise cornerstones Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Add in a strong supporting cast and the Sixers are one of the top contenders in a wide-open Eastern Conference following LeBron James' departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Taking charge after most of the offseason duties are already completeโ€”Brown served in an interim capacity after theย resignationย of Bryan Colangeloโ€”alleviates some pressure off the rookie GM.

Falcons May Have Figured It Out ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ