an831 2008-7-9 11:43 PM
Brand to sign with 76ers
Free-agent forward Elton Brand has told the Philadelphia 76ers he is going to sign with the team, NBA front office sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday.
Brand, who has spent his nine-year career with the Los Angeles Clippers, will receive a five-year, $82 million contract, according to the report.
The 76ers were able to up their offer to the former Duke star because they are opening up salary-cap space through a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That deal will send forward Rodney Carney, center Calvin Booth and a No. 1 pick to Minnesota, enabling Philadelphia to clear another $3 million from its payroll.
Brand had been expected to re-sign with the Clippers, who made a huge splash by reportedly signing free-agent guard Baron Davis from the Golden State Warriors.
The 6-8 Brand played in only eight games last season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. He averaged 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest.
Wednesday is the first day teams can sign free agents and finalize trades, as a league-wide moratorium that began on July 1 comes to an end.