NBA Trade Scenarios: Potential Deals Involving Philadelphia 76ers Elton Brand
Before I begin, I first want to say that Elton Brand has done a great job this season of rejuvenating himself into a new player. Not only did the entire team make a turnaround, but so did other players individually,especially Brand.
But even though Brand has been playing well and a key reason why the Sixers find themselves in the playoffs, he is getting old.
Brand is already 32, with three years left on his contract. You can do the math.
The Sixers may try to shop Brand after this season because of his age, but it will be extremely hard to find a buyer that will take on his hefty contract.
While looking through each team in the league, there are very few that I think would be willing to take on his contract.
If there were to be a trade involving Brand, it will most likely result in a "bad contract for bad contract" scenario.
But before we get into the scenarios, I want to say that some of these deals are kind of odd, but make sense in a way. The hard thing about making this was that we don't know who the Sixers are going to draft or if they will trade Andre Iguodala.
Either way, most likely none will happen, but rumors go around so quickly in the NBA that anything is possible.
Brand to the Pistons for Hamilton and White
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Sixers Get: Richard Hamilton and Terrico White
Pistons Get: Elton Brand
The Pistons are a team in the dumps right now and I would feel bad for sending Brand there.
This is pretty much a contract for contract deal and throwing in White to make it work out financially.
Hamilton would be a nice two guard for the Sixers temporarily, and could work well with Andre Iguodala.
Brand to the Bobcats for Thomas, Carroll and Diop
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Sixers Get: Tyrus Thomas, Matt Carroll, and DeSagana Diop
Bobcats Get: Elton Brand
This deal obviously doesn't look tempting but I think the team that is the most willing out of any is the Bobcats.
They have bad and expiring contracts that make the deal work. Brand is better than Thomas and Carroll and Diop see limited playing time in Charlotte.
If Diop came to Philly, he would be another experiment at the center position. The Sixers are still in the hunt for a reliable center in every deal they should be looking for one.
Carroll is only in the deal to make the money workout.
Brand to the Pacers for Dunleavy, Foster and Rush
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Sixers Get: Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster and Brandon Rush
Pacers Get: Elton Brand
This deal was rumored to happen not too long ago and it still makes a lot of sense.
Brand would go to Indiana and team up with Danny Granger, Darren Collison and Roy Hibbert while the Sixers would be getting a great expiring in Dunleavy and center experiment in Foster.
I think Brand would complete the Pacers because the four slot is their weak spot. The new starting five would be all proven players with the exception of Paul George, but he still has a ton of potential.
This is a good way to get rid of Brand's contract that would benefit both teams.
Brand to the Warriors for Biedrins and Wright
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Sixers Get: Andris Biedrins and Dorell Wright
Warriors Get: Elton Brand
The talent is there for the Warriors. They have their own "big Three" with Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and David Lee. They just need to incorporate more defense into their playing style.
This could be a really good deal for the Warriors because they would be sealing their four slot with Brand and they would shift Lee over to center.
As for the Sixers, they would get a quality player in Wright and an experiment for a center with Biedrins.
The Sixers do have Andre Iguodala, but he could still play the two guard and complement Wright and the rest of the team.
The bad thing about this is that it could get congested between Iggy, Wright, Evan Turner, and Jodie Meeks.
If the Sixers end up trading Iguodala, then this is a good deal.
Brand to the Thunder for Aldrich and Collison
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Sixers Get: Cole Aldrich and Nick Collison
Thunder Get: Elton Brand
In this deal the Sixers would be receiving two former Kansas stars. Aldrich is in the midst of his rookie season while Collison, who is still young, has been in the league for a while.
The main reason why the Sixers would do this deal besides the fact to get rid of Brand's contract is because they need a center and Aldrich has the potential to be it.
The Thunder are one of the youngest teams in the league and a guy like Brand could serve well as a mentor and because they are built to win now.
After Serge Ibaka, they don't have much depth at the four. Brand could be a very nice fit.
Brand to the Mavericks for Marion and Haywood
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Sixers Get: Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion
Mavericks Get: Elton Brand
When Mark Cuban is in a deal, anything is possible.
Haywood would be a great fit in Philadelphia because he would be a primary center that the Sixers need desperately.
The Mavericks always find themselves at the top of the Western Conference standings heading into the playoffs, but never make it over the hump.
Brand would be a nice fit for Dallas, especially for the playoffs. They could have him playing a little center and have him go in when Dirk takes a rest.
The Sixers would cut Marion or buy out his contract.
Brand to the Spurs for Blair, Jefferson and McDyess
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Sixers Get: DeJuan Blair, Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess
Spurs Get: Elton Brand
Brand could be a nice fit for the Spurs for playoffs purposes and they are built to win now. Plus, the Spurs lack a solid power forward in the starting spot.
Right now, they have Blair and McDyess at the position (also getting some time at center). Brand is a better power forward then both of them and would be a great help alongside Tim Duncan.
The Sixers could play McDyess and Blair at the four as well as center.
Conclusion
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There aren't many options out there because there are very few teams that would be willing to take on Brand's contract.
In all of these scenarios, the Sixers are trading bad contract for bad contract or are receiving expiring contracts and draft picks (sorry folks, but that's how most deals work out in the NBA). The other team is usually making the trade to benefit themselves now because they are a championship caliber team at the moment.
But honestly, the chances of these trades happening are very slim.
Either way, Brand has improved greatly from last season and Sixers fans should be focused on the upcoming playoff challenge against the Miami Heat.
