Sixers willing to trade #2 pick with Elton Brand

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16106/sixers-shopping-no-2-pick

Would you guys do it and who would you offer to the Sixers to match Brand's contract?

The main concern of absorbing Brand's contract is well, it's A LOT of money for a player who is everyone says is finished. He would never work in Don Nelson's system, but then again, that might be a good thing looking towards the future.

If we were to get Evan Turner with the #2 pick, the obvious choice to include in this trade is Monta Ellis since Turner would take his spot as the SG. Plus, Ellis is currently the highest paid and defined as the "best" player on the Warriors. For example, Monta + Wright for Brand would work salary-wise.

The Warriors would be trading away Ellis on the premise that Curry and Ellis cannot and should not co-exist on the same team. The Warriors would be bringing Brand on hoping he can help with rebounding while staying healthy. If he can't, well, it's just the price we'd pay to off-load Ellis for the sake of building a Curry-Turner backcourt of the future.

It's a very expensive price to pay, but it's "only" for 3 years. Brand's contract is back-loaded:

2010 - 2011: $15,959,099
2011 - 2012: $17,059,726
2012 - 2013: $18,160,354

Would taking on this contract hinder the Warriors' ability to sign a FA they covet? Whatever the case, whether it's the current management or management to be (with the impending sale of the team), they would need to have some foresight as to what they want in a team going into the future, obviously.

If we take Brand for the next three years, what do we do with Anthony Randolph? I think he would have to be moved too. He won't be happy on this team, with or without Don Nelson. A team with Elton Brand, who you'd have to play if healthy because of the money he makes, would drastically change the way the Warriors play. I think we can all agree that getting away from "small-ball" is a good idea, but the idea of a player not being able to run is kind of worrisome. Then again, I would support a coach who benched Brand if he didn't play well, regardless of how much he makes.

How would this transaction affect the pending sale of the team? I don't think it would too much. As far as numbers are concerned, it is a fairly equitable net swap.

I think it affects personnel decisions more than the financial statement. Personnel decisions are tied into the financials, of course, because a team's goal is to bring in revenue.

Anyway, those are my initial thoughts. What are your thoughts?

 

Yes, I would do that. Of course, my first reaction is to make it a blockbuster and toss in Maggette too...

But I would trade Monta + Wright for Brand + 2nd pick... yes... I actually still believe in Brand. He's 31, which puts him mid-way in his career, yes his best years are probably behind him, but this is a guy who was MVP potential for several years, and he wasn't dominant with athletic ability -- he was dominant with skills, which don't deteriorate like hops do. He'll always be a good rebounder, even when he's fifty, because he does it with his ass, boxing out and getting good position.

Yes, he went through a bad injury, but look at Grant Hill... I think Brand's contract isn't that bad -- I think Maggette's is much worse. Brand could have 3 or 4 solid years and could even regain all-star form. At least he gives Curry a legit go-to option on the block, which is something we haven't had since... Ike Diogu?

 

I'd do it. The 3 years on Brand's contract don't bother me so much becuase we wouldn't be able to sign a top level free agent anyway and it will be at least 3 years before we have a shot at anything more than an 8 seed (our best players will be in their 1st and 2nd year). I also don't think Brand is really as bad as he was last season. Knee surgeries often take 2 years to come back from and, even if he is never his old self, he can still get 16/8 and provide some muscle down low which is more than we're getting now. I don't think that AR would definately have to go either. I think there's room for both of them becuase AR can take some minutes at 3 and Brand could play some 5.

If this trade did happen, I'd still like to trade the #6 pick, maybe with Beans & Maggette for another post player and have a shot at winning now. Bosh? Boozer? I don't know if either of those trades would be even close to enough but I'd think that package should get something decent.

Curry/Watson
Turner/Morrow
Azu/Williams/AR
AR/Brand
Bosh/Turiaf

That looks pretty good, a SF away from being damn good

 

Well, it seems like you pretty much have to go Turner at #2, unless for some reason the Wizards don't take Wall. (*edit I actually have Wes Johnson #2 on my board now) Honestly, when you're in the top of the lottery, I don't believe in drafting for need anyway. You should always take BAP because that is the strongest asset you can add to your team, whether to keep him or trade him. It seems obvious Turner is BAP, but I'm no college expert. If he can play the SG, then it would make perfect sense in light of the proposed Monta trade.

At #6, honestly I'd try to trade it -- maybe a package with Mags. But if we couldn't move it, then what do you do? I'm not impressed with what I've seen/read about Aldrich. He's 6'11" -- but what else? Monroe has a ton of upside with his size and skills. Al-Farouq Aminu looks pretty athletic and explosive. He could be a good fit at SF... I'd probably go with Aminu.

[video=youtube;cIUnTeKdqWA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIUnTeKdqWA&feature=related[/video]

 

I also don't think Brand is finished, but nothing is for certain. I'm sure he's got something to prove, which is always good.

One thing to consider is that the CBA will change after 2011. If the league exercises its option, then the CBA is good through 2012. If a hard cap is going to be implemented, Brand's contract may come into play more (i.e. may hinder Warriors' ability to sign FA's, re-sign players, etc.).

 

It makes sense for the Sixers to try to move the trade, unless they can get Wall somehow - if Turner is what's left, then they have to make a move since they already have Iggy. Brand is the worst fit for their team since he was already losing minutes to Young and Speights, and they could use the flexibility from having a few extra million in the 2011 offseason when they already have a lot of contracts expiring. With about $5 more million, they could throw a really good offer at Horford or Oden or something. I think they rather try to get a draft pick higher than ours though, since they probably want Favors or Cousins.

If they somehow get wrangled into taking Maggette, we'd actually save money. I doubt we'd ever be that lucky though, since their minimum asking price would be Ellis, #6, and Randolph.

 

My gut reaction was this does not sound like a great deal, and we do not have to do this deal before the draft. What's the hurry? Unless you think Evan Turner is a potential all-star? Another Brandon Roy? I'm not one for trading Brandan Wright or Anthony Randolph unless it's for a true all-star because we do not know what we have. I rather try and do a S&T for Amare than Brand.

 

Brand and Evan Turner for Ellis + one of our power forwards. I'll do it. I'm not sure if Wright will ever be the force we need inside. Randolph doesn't have a very high basketball IQ. We can't give either enough playing time as a developing starter so one must go. If one was more nba ready than the other, the choice would be easier.

If we got Curry and Evans as our backcourt, that'd be a tough backcourt to beat. Plus, Evans could be a small forward if we want him to play that position.

 

I think you mean Evan, as in Evan Turner... but if you're talking Curry + Tyreke Evans, yeah that would be pretty sick! Curry + Reggie Evans not so much...

 

LOL sorry, AlleyOop, I meant Evan Turner lol.

 

I would probably do it. The Brand contract would be painful for the next couple years, but then he becomes a gigantic expiring which would be a very valuable trade chip. Turner is the perfect backcourt mate for Curry. But, it doesn't really address the Warriors front court issues, which are probably the most critical (Im assuming here that Brand will not magically become a force again).

 

High risk high reward kind of deal, imo. Even more high reward if a new coach who's a little more traditional-minded comes in. But one year with Don Nelson might not be too bad either, if Nellie can incorporate plays for him. I think he'd be a good influence on Anthony Randolph if AR stays on the team. That goes for any other big on the team as well.

And back to Nellie, well part of the high risk is that coach and Brand's ego clash. But maybe playing with Maggette again would keep things cool for Elton.

So I'm not in love with doing a deal, but if certain things fall in to place, or it works out...well, it wouldn't be bad to have it work out.

 

I've read Evan Turner refused to workout for the Wizards and only worked out for the Sixers. Big mistake. What if Sixers took Favors instead? Nets would probably take Turner, but would be more willing to trade him or one of Courtney Lee, CDR or Terrence Williams. John Wall is definitely going #1 (his draft workout looks awesome!).

Evan Turner workout:
[video=youtube;DUWUiHIxufM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUWUiHIxufM&feature=player_embedded[/video]

Here's what one Sixers blogger said about Turner (realgm.com):
Areas Of Need

I believe the Sixers are in most dire need of a wing player who can actually shoot it from the wing and is more of a pure basketball player, rather than a tall athlete that happens to play basketball, which I believe accurately describes Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Both Iguodala and Young have been asked to do specific things that do not fit their core competencies and it has impaired their own individual production and of course that of the team in general.

Whether it is due to the system or his own limitations, Iguodala has stopped getting better offensively. He wasn't able to get to the rim as often and his TS% hit a career low of 53.5%. He also averaged just 15.8 points per 36 minutes, down from 18.1 in 07-08, which was his best season as a scorer. Iguodala has tremendous natural gifts, but he has never genuinely improved as a shooter and desperately needs to shoot fewer three-pointers.

The Sixers can also stand to get younger in the frontcourt where they are saddled with Elton Brand and are entering the final season of Samuel Dalembert's big contract.

Draft Targets

Evan Turner is the closest player that fits the above description of a wing who is a pure basketball player, but I also don't believe he has All-Star potential. Drafting Turner and rearranging some of the spare pieces such as Young makes the Sixers a team that should consistently at least reach the playoffs.

Turner will be a good NBA scorer; he may have to work twice as hard as some of the more athletic wings, but he will get his points in at least a somewhat efficient manner. He also will be a good secondary ballhandler to complement Jrue Holiday in transition, plus he can run the point position when Lou Williams is on the floor. Williams is excellent instant offense off the bench, but he has consistently proven unfit to run the point in a true manner.

...

Derrick Favors is a bigger gamble since he needs far more development in order to become an effective big, but his potential to be big enough to play center with the Dwight Howard measurement comparisons is difficult to ignore. He has immensely more upside and I believe that is what having a pick so high should be ultimately about, finding true franchise changers.

DeMarcus Cousins has the best potential of this trio, but I'm not sure the Sixers can afford the inherent risk he would bring.


http://sixers.realgm.com/articles/134/20100612/sixers_draft_preview/

 

Watching that video above, I notice a couple small things about Turner. I know he was just working out (not full game speed), but his release looks a little slow. Also, his release point varies, but you'll notice that often he releases the ball after the peak of his jump, on the way down. The arc of his shot looks a little flat for this reason. With that said, he made every shot on the video, but who knows how many he missed. He looked pretty good though. But not great. Watching that workout, I don't have the feeling he'll be taking too many NBA guards off the dribble, so it will be interesting to see how he learns to score in the NBA. I think it will be an adjustment period with Turner. No Brandon Roy story here.

I still like Wes Johnson better.

 

I wonder why Turner won't work out for other teams especially Washington. It sounds a bit arrogant that he won't. However, it could be that Wizards turned Turner down???!!!???!!!

This could be smoke and mirrors (likely), but draftexpress.com twitter and other rumors are saying Cousins won't work out for Minnesota and T-Wolves will take Wesley Johnson at #4. But they will try to trade Johnson. Also, some team like Philly is supposed to have an announcement tomorrow or Tuesday about a trade. Whether it's for their #2, I dunno. Minnesota and New Jersey are teams who could be trade partners with Golden State. Right now, draftexpress has Cousins going to the Warriors at #6 and if the Warriors pass, he'll be grabbed by Detroit at #7. Of course, Kings fans want Cousins if he's there at #5 (assuming Wall, Turner, Favors, Johnson go it top 4).

Crazy.

 

It looks like a trade rumored has gone down for Philly and the Sacramento Kings! So who do the Kings draft now? Does Philly still take Evan Turner?

The Kings get Samuel Dalembert for Nocioni and Spencer Hawes. Good deal for the Kings imo.

Kings trade Hawes, Nocioni for 76ers' Dalembert
Published Thursday, Jun. 17, 2010

A high-ranking official of the Kings confirmed Thursday morning that team has traded center Spencer Hawes and swingman Andres Nocioni to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for center Samuel Dalembert.

Dalembert played all eight years of his career for in Philadelphia, where the 6-foot-11 center averaged 8.1 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game.

He had his best season for the 76ers in the 2007-08 season when he averaged 10.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Dalembert, who attended Seton Hall and was the 26th overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the 76ers, comes to the Kings in the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to make $12,200,000.

Dalembert, a native of Haiti, played a big role in establishing relief money for the people of his home country after it was hit by a massive earthquake in January.

The Kings have the No. 5 pick in next week's NBA Draft and put much attention into finding a big man.

Hawes was the Kings' first-round draft pick in 2007, 10th overall. He had spent one season at the University of Washington.

But the 7-foot-1 center could never establish himself as a full-time starter in his three seasons. He averaged 8.8 points and just 5.5 rebounds per game. His toughness was always questioned and at one point during the 2009-10 season he fell out of favor with Kings coach Paul Westphal.

Nocioni came to the Kings in a trade with the Bulls in February of 2009 that sent center Brad Miller to Chicago in a six-player deal.

Nocioni also never established himself as a starter and had let it be known late last season that he wanted to be traded.

Nocioni had a rough 2009-10 season in which he was arrested in early in the season for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The pled no contest and was suspended two games by the league.

He started 28 games this past season and averaged 8.5 points per game along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

More to come on this story as it develops.

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/17/2830114/report-kings-trade-hawes-nocioni.html

 

Sorry guys. I'm hearing the Kings will take Cousins or Favors depending who falls.

Cousins. Nice shot.
[video=youtube;IBSK0hLMYo8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBSK0hLMYo8[/video]