Elton Brand???

by Aaron Sass on Nov 15, 2009 5:01 PM PST

I know their have been way too many posts about trades, but this is one that came to my mind last night. I don't think this name had ever come up for the Blazers and with good reason. He's got a monster contract and he's clearly on the downside of his career. But with that being said Elton Brand is, with the right attitude, exactly what the Blazers need. If Elton would be willing to take 20 to 25 minutes a game he would be perfect for the Blazers.

After watching 4 or so Sixer games on NBA league pass I saw that he's clearly not the player he once was. I looked at his numbers and he's only scoring about 10 points per game while getting 6 rebounds. That's clearly nowhere near his 20/10 that he used to get on a nightly basis. I know the knee injury is a bit of a bummer and he may be a bit injury prone and miss a few games. But then again maybe not.

Everybody knows Antonio McDyess. He used to be a 20/10 guy in his Denver days. He was even an all star. But after his knee injury he was never the same. He went to the Knicks and they made a big deal about getting him. But he wasn't what he used to be. He went to the Pistons and found that he could contribute while coming off the bench with limited minutes.

If Elton Brand could accept the fact that he's not a star player anymore. If he could accept the fact that he has to come off the bench and only play 20 to 25 minutes a night then I would be all for the Blazers trading for him. After all the Sixers want to go with a younger team. Brand is 30 or 31 I think. So he's not what the Sixers want. Especially with the contract he has. But Brand could be what the Blazers need with the right attitude. He can play both power forward and the center position. He can score inside, block shots, and rebound. I think he would be productive in a 20 to 25 minute period. The Blazers have that cap space so they could take on his contract. Though I don't know if they'd want to or if Brand would want to come off the bench. But if all is perfect he, in my opinion would be a perfect fit for the Trail Blazers.

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Even if he were, say, an 18 and 8 guy...

the 4 years and $50 million + left on his contract, plus his injury history, makes this a no-way proposition. Besides, he’s making $14.6 million this year — how many players do the Blazers send back to Philly? Cap room is minuscule, so we’d be trading more than just Outlaw and Blake.

IF Brand were in the last year of his current deal and IF Outlaw was definitely out for the rest of the season, maybe this is considered. But even then, the salaries wouldn’t match.

Hit it. Yes he did. Ohhhh yeah.

by Badalona Baddie on Nov 15, 2009 5:16 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

where to start?

- the Blazers don’t have near the capspace to take on his monstrouse contract. They would have to send out over $11 million in contracts. That starts with Joel and/or Miller, then add 2 more from Blake/Webster/Outlaw.
- Where are you going to get Brand 25 minutes per night? You going to cut LaMarcus back to 23? I suppose if you move Joel, you could play LMA or Brand some backing up Greg, but given his foul troubles that means a LOT of nights with a lot of no center lineups
- Brand doesn’t see himself as an off the bench part time player yet – nowhere close to that. He’s clearly not 100% yet, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to play a much diminished role.
- No way Portland wants to take on his massive contract for the 3 years following this one. Given that we already have big contracts on Roy, LMA, and soon to be Oden, we don’t want to hamstring ourselves with this contract for a guy who clearly isn’t worth it.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Nov 15, 2009 5:18 PM PST reply actions

Yeah true...

But in a perfect world I think Brand would be a good fit for the Blazers. If the day ever comes where the Sixers release him, which I doubt they will. They could probably get something for him. But if they ever release Brand, I think the Blazers should go right after him. But the monster contract is a huge killer. I still don’t know what Philly was thinking giving him that deal right after he’d only played 8 games the previous season.

by Aaron Sass on Nov 15, 2009 5:29 PM PST up reply actions

The Sixers only release him

if he becomes ineffective, and then we wouldn’t want him.

It’s a no-win situation.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 16, 2009 12:33 AM PST up reply actions

This isn't the NFL in which overpaid, underperforming guys past their prime get cut constantly, as ...

the NBA has a collective bargaining agreement that provides a system whereby most of its players have guaranteed contracts. I know there’s some people who detest guaranteed contracts, but I like them. For one, myopic front office executives don’t deserve to be bailed out every time they make a fiscally dumb, imprudent decision. In addition, professional athletes have short shelf lifes concerning their occupation of choice; therefore, it’s in their best interest to earn as much money as possible in a career with such a quick lifespan. Even as it is, though, many NBA players are broke soon after their career ends, but that’s more due to their lavish spending habits and idiocy concerning saving money more than anything else.

Dear Paul Allen:

Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.

Sincerely,
AK1984

by AK1984 on Nov 16, 2009 3:11 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah true...

But in a perfect world Brand would be a perfect fit. If you take away the monster contract then I think the Blazers should go after him. Giving away Outlaw and someone else of course. Brand could play around 20 minutes a game depending on the foul situation with the centers. If he were willing to accept that and not have a huge contract then I’d say go for him. I still don’t know why Philly signed him to that deal after he’d only played 8 games the previous season. Stupid.

by Aaron Sass on Nov 15, 2009 5:31 PM PST reply actions

"If you take away the monster contract..."

I’m confused. We cannot take away the contract. If we choose not to consider contracts, or indeed any other practical considerations, then I humbly suggest that we target LeBron.

by samuelleejackson on Nov 15, 2009 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

Philly probably wants to get rid of that contract ...

but do we really want to pay him that much?

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Nov 15, 2009 6:12 PM PST reply actions

Probably not.

But if Philly ever does just release him, which they probably won’t. I think Portland should go after him. But really though, how many power forwards that are talented are going to want to play just 15 to 20 minutes a night? Not many. Even if Portland would have brought in Paul Milsap over the summer that wouldn’t have worked out unless Portland moved Travis. Someone brought up Portland maybe trading for Ronny Turiaf. I guess he would work but he’s not much of an offensive threat. Would you really want the front line of your second unit to just be all defense. You need another post presence besides Greg Oden. That’s why Brand makes sense.

by Aaron Sass on Nov 15, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions

The contract Philly really really wants to get rid of is Dalembert. No takers since over a year.

And reportedly they really have called every team about it. Brand is still getting integrated into their new offensive schemes, and while he is certainly overpaid at this point they can still use him a lot. Mareese Speights does the same for less money, but that doesn’t mean they will easily give Brand away. Speights is injured at the moment, but when both are healthy they could play C and PF at least as well together at what the Wolves are trying with Jefferson and Love. Just Dalembert is too much.

by Norsktroll on Nov 16, 2009 3:29 AM PST up reply actions

Speights was awesome this season so far

Injuries are killing my fantasy team.

by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 16, 2009 3:55 AM PST up reply actions

Marreese Speights at center causes the Philadelphia 76ers the same problem that Al Jefferson at ...

center causes the Minnesota Timberwolves, which is a weak interior defense. Sure, Philadelphia 76ers fans are correct to criticize Samuel Dalembert for a few reasons — such as his limited range, inefficient shooting, hands of stone, et cetera — yet, unlike Speights, he can truly anchor the low-post on defense.

To me, Dalembert plays an important role with the 76ers. If anything, 76ers fans should be more critical of the decision to sign a soft Euro in Primoz Brezec this off-season as supposed frontline depth. Truth be told, I’m surprised that Brezec is back in the NBA after his first go-around that included failed stints with Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit, and Toronto.

Instead of Brezec, the 76ers should’ve brought in an offensively efficient 5/4 who works hard on defense — as that’d’ve been more appropriate than signing someone who duplicates what Jason Smith brings to the table — with, um, Maceo Baston being someone who fits that mold.

Dear Paul Allen:

Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.

Sincerely,
AK1984

by AK1984 on Nov 16, 2009 5:31 AM PST up reply actions

Brand is a shell of his old self this season

He hasn’t even gotten off the bench in at least a couple 4th quarters this year. The achilles injury has killed his explosiveness.

That being said-if he were healthy and would accept the mid-level, he would be a great player for us off the bench.

by kobisportsguy on Nov 15, 2009 7:36 PM PST reply actions

LMA is very good in the post

and has shown more of a tendency to attack the rim so far. Though if that jumper is fallin’, I say take it.

LMA plays 35 ish minutes a night. that leaves 13 minutes for a backup 4. We of course sometimes play LMA at the 5 and Travis picks up minutes that way, but I think I can safely say that as long as Oden and Joel are not in too much foul trouble, LMA at the 5 for more than spot duty is not what we want to see.

Honestly, the best backup PF for the Blazers is a 4/3 that can rebound and spread the floor. We may yet have that in Cunningham given a year or two.

Regardless, you don’t pay more than the MLE for a backup (Super subs who play starter minutes like Terry and Manu excepted).

Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash

by HurraKane212 on Nov 15, 2009 7:38 PM PST reply actions

We may yet have that in Cunningham given a year or two.

I was encouraged to hear that the scouts who saw Dante play at Tim Grg’s camp back in August projected him to be a NBA starter in 2 years…that’s unlikely to be possible in Portland with Batum and LMA around, but it’s nice to know that Cummingham has that kind of upside

Like all young players, I think he’ll get burned on defense for awhile—but there’s only one way to learn how to play, and that’s trial by fire and take your lumps—that’s easy to say but tough to watch, especially during a close game

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 15, 2009 9:04 PM PST up reply actions

sorry no way

by prof.mike on Nov 15, 2009 7:47 PM PST reply actions

Given the choice, I'd rather have the second coming of Jermaine O'Neal

but Jerm won’t be “priced” right, until next July

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 15, 2009 8:54 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

This is an idea I could get on board with

JO might see Portland as a viable opportunity to get a ring in the later stages of his career, would probably be willing to accept a Boston-Sheed like bench role, can see time at the 4 or 5, and as you point out, the price will likely be right. Good thought.

I hate Comcast
Card carrying member of Team Bayless
I need to stop being so hard on Steve Blake. Even though I'd rather see him as a top 5 backup PG than an undersized starting SG, he's a Bazer, he works hard, he has earned respect.

by blazeraddict on Nov 15, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions