Authors update:

The L.A. Times has reported that Elton Brand has officially opted out of the final year of his contract, making him a unrestricted free agent.

The Sixers need a big man. They need a big, strong, good power forward on the court. They need it to compete in this league, it’s the essential component missing from this team. Elton Brand is a big man, an established one. Elton Brand is a big, strong, good power forward. He could be and should be the missing piece to the Sixers puzzle. With so much cap room, and so much talent in this young man, the Sixers should go full throttle after Mr. Brand. Here’s why…

Let me touch on something right out of the gate: Brand is a Dukie. He was the first Blue Devil to leave early for the pro game and it worked out pretty well I’d say. Usually Coach K can keep his players for all 4 years, but not in this case. What I’m really getting to is that Duke players usually…suck in the NBA. Now, go ahead all you Duke lovers out there, say what you will about Grant Hill and Carlos Boozer…yes those players were and are great. But the vast majority of Blue Devils that turn pro are mediocre at best. I don’t feel comfortable starting a franchise with Josh McRoberts is all I’m saying here. But this Duke talk has carried on too long, lets get to Elton Brand.

The biggest knock recently on Elton Brand is that he’s injury prone. Last year he lasted 8 games before going down with a season ending injury. How exactly is that injure prone? 2004-2005 season: 81 games played. 2005-2006 season? 79 games played. 2006-2007 season? 80 games played. Plus we aren’t talking about Shaq here, the guy isn’t ancient by any means; he’s just 29 years old.

So, for him as a Clipper, what are the pros and cons of opting out of the last year of his contract? Well, to start with the pros, he’s been in the league 9 years and has seen post-season action one time. And it doesn’t seems as if the Clippers are turning it around any time soon (yes, getting Livingston back helps, but this is essentially the same team). Athletes love money and for some, that’s all they play for. But for most guys you want that ring around your finger when you retire. Playing on the Clippers isn’t going to give Brand that chance, especially in the west where you have the old timers who still got a shot (Spurs), and the new kids on the block (Hornets, Jazz, Lakers). Coming to a team in the east paves an easier path to the finals for sure.

Another plus on opting out is the ability to “start over.” We hear that term all the time in sports but the results aren’t always shown in the best light. A good example is Brad Lidge on the Phillies. He was a wreck in Houston. A former all-star closer who couldn’t save a game for his life. Traded to the Phillies in a deal that was largely under the radar, and this year he’s flourishing with 20 saves in 20 tries. I’m not saying Elton Brand is a wreck in L.A., but sometimes the change of scenery is needed. Sometimes a player needs a new place to play, a new city with new teammates, and it rejuvenates them.

It also should go without saying that this guy is a leader, someone for the younger players like Thaddeus Young to look up to. No, he wouldn’t bring playoff experience, but he’s played in big games like the FIBA World Championships in 2006.

So all that is good, all of that stuff should beg the question: why the hell wouldn’t he opt out? One reason and one reason only: 16.4 million. That’s how much money Brand is in line to make next year, the final year of his contract. The temptation to stay on a sub-par team that’s essentially going nowhere for one more year is very high when you’re scheduled to make over 16 million dollars that year. This all brings me to the driving force of this article/rant: Sixers…use as much as it takes and sign..this..player.

The Sixers, as advertised, are interested in Elton Brand. In return, Elton Brand said on ESPN 950 radio that if he were to opt out, the Sixers would be “without a doubt” a team to consider. That sounds like more than enough for me if I’m Ed Stefanski. This guy is interested, he’s young, and he’s an awesome player. Listen to some of this:

(Besides last years’ 8 games)

In his career, the lowest ppg Elton Brand has ever averaged is 18.2

In his career, the lowest rpg Elton Brand has ever averaged is 9.3

His career averages are 20.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg, and 2.1 bpg. Please sign him.

The one year the Clippers did make the playoffs? I don’t think he was nervous: averaged 25.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, and 4.0 apg.

Ed Stefanski is the real deal, he knows what he’s doing. The Kyle Korver trade worked out terrifically. The drafting of Marreese Speights was a great move for the future. I trust him completely with the futures of some of our restricted free agents. He’s a Philly guy and he’s leading the Sixers in the right direction. But if he wants to get this team deep in the playoffs and one day in the finals to win it, he needs that big man. That big man that steps on the court and has an absolutely defining and immediate impact.

The Sixers should throw a huge amount of their 11 million in change at Elton Brand. Go crazy, for once. Hell, this is the team that signed Aaron McKie to a 42 million dollar deal. This is a chance, a special chance, to make a splash in free agency and turn this team around. Obviously, if Brand doesn’t opt out and eventually stays with the Clippers, there’s nothing you can do. But put all your effort into this, because the opportunity to get this kind of player doesn’t come around everyday.

photo from nba.com