HoopsVibe

There was talk about the Cavs trading for 76ers guard/forward Andre Iguodala. One source seems to indicate the Sixers might ask teams to take Elton brand off their hands, too, in such a deal.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: From MVP candidate to grenade. This is the plight of power forward Elton Brand.

Not long ago, Brand was the straw that stirred the drink for a promising Los Angeles Clippers squad. Then he injured his Achilles. And, despite missing an entire season, managed to get a maximum contract from the Philadelphia 76ers.

From day one, this was a poor match. The 76ers like to run. Brand prefers a slower, half-court game.

There was little interest in a broken down Brand and his big ticket. So the cellar-dwelling 76ers have resorted to packaging him with the marketable Andrew Iguodala.

Bottom line: if a team wants ‘Iggy’ they have to take Brand.

There are two problems with this strategy. First, few teams have the cap space and resources to assume Brand and Iguodala’s combined salary of $26 million. Those that do aren’t interested.

Second, Brand and Iguodala's hefty price tag means the 76ers would surely have to take back a problem contract in a trade. The rebuilding 76ers need young assets, expiring contracts, and draft picks to pair with Evan Turner. They don’t need a frustrated, overpaid veteran to lead the kids astray.

There's no easy way for the 76ers to free themselves of Brand.

--Oly Sandor.

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