Possible Elton Brand Trades

Earlier this week, Chad Ford of ESPN started a wild fire of a rumor that Elton Brand, the Sixers prize off season acqusition was available. Since then, Phil Jasner of the Daily News, who is closer to the situation, has said that is not true, according to his sources.

I hope he's wrong.

The debate on whether or not to trade Elton Brand is a good one, and I can see both sides. I agree with the reasons not to trade him: its early in the season, he's been injured, he can help the Sixers in the post season, etc. I get all of that.

But in my opnion, Ed Stefanski has a chance to save this team from a potentially crippiling contract. Elton Brand is on the books for 5 more seasons, and around 16 million per season. When they signed Brand, that was their one chance. All of the trades, including the Iverson one, led to that moment. That one choice on what to do with all that money.

Its safe to say, as of right now, they blew it.

It could turn around, and Brand could contribute. But does anyone see him living up to that contract here in Philadelphia? Trading Brand would be admitting that it was a mistake, but do you really have to cut off your nose despite your face for 5 more years?

Even with Brand at 100 percent, contributing at his top capability, theres no way the Sixers get past the Celtics, Cavs or Magic this year. So why not trade Brand and get out of this contract now, while you still can?

I don't think the Sixers should just give Brand away. But if you can get one of these things, you pull the trigger:

1) an expiring contract

2)a high draft pick (not likely)
3) a player who can help now, but has a short term deal

I went onto ESPN's Trade Machine, and looked at some options. Here are some deals I thought made sence, under those guidelines

1. Elton Brand and Willie Green for Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver

On paper, you wonder why the Jazz would do this, but I think they would. Boozer has had a dissapointing year, and because of his injuries, Paul Millsap has emerged as a potential All-Star. He is averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in only 32 minutes per season this year. Boozer is a free agent at the end of the season, and they won't keep both Millsap and him. By making this move, the Jazz get something in return for Boozer before they loose him on the free agent market. For the Sixers, they get to rent Boozer for the rest of the season, and if things don't work out, they get his 12 million dollers off the books this off season.

2. Elton Brand for Wally Szcerbiack

On the court, all this gets the Sixers is an outside shooter, a role they need and Kareem Rush has failed to step into. But most importantly, this gives the Sixers his 13 million doller expiring contract. Combined with Andre Miller, this gives them 23 million this off season to play with. The Cavs don't need to make a move, but out of all the players I've heard them mentioned being interested in (Vince Carter, Jermaine O Neal, etc) Brand would help them the most. Adding Elton Brand would give them scoring downl ow, which they need. Also, Brand has shown to be a positive influence in the locker room, and would not disrupt their chemistry.

3. Elton Brand for Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich

This deal works, but I'm not sure I would pull the trigger on this one. The upside to this deal is that the Sixers get Hinrich, a young point guard for the future. The Sixers don't really have anybody behind Andre Miller right now, and this would solve that problem. Thomas can leap out of the gym, and would fit in with this team. For the Bulls, they would get Brand for Hinrich, a player they need to get rid of anyway with the emergence of Derrick Rose.

4. Elton Brand and Reggie Evans for Shawn Marion

I would pull the trigger on this trade in a heart beat. Marion fits in perfectly with the Sixers style, can shoot the 3, and can lock down players like Kevin Garnett in the playoffs if needed. Plus, he is 17 million dollers off the books this summer. The Heat are trying desperatly to trade Marion, and they are talking about trading him to the Kings for Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas. The Heat have tried before to get Brand, and I think they would do this trade. That would give them Brand down low to play off of Dwanye Wade. This could make them a serious playoff threat.

By making these moves, the Sixers have the chance to gain a valuable asset (a huge amount of cap space this summer) for trading away somebody who is not contributing to the team (in fact, he is hurting the team). This is nothing against Elton Brand as a player or a person. To me, he showed what a great team mate he was by agreeing to come off the bench these last few games. Think Iverson would have done that?

The sole reason behind wanting to trade Brand is it gives the Sixers a do over. With these moves, the Sixers would have potentially 25 million dollers in cap space this off season. Now, what if they use that to sign a marginal point guard (Rajon Rondon?) and some roll players (Raja Bell?), setting them up with potentially 15-20 million in the summer of 2010.

If they don't trade Elton and, I don't think that's a huge mistake. I just think its a better idea to trade him, plain and simple. It is better for the team in the short and long term.

Not many people in the world get a chance for a due over. This is the Sixers chance.