NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
93. . Philadelphia 76ers. 5 Years, $80 Million. Elton Brand. 28. player
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 28. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers took a big gamble during the 2008 NBA offseason on Elton Brand. Brand had emerged as quite the player during his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He made two NBA All-Star appearances with the Clippers, while producing 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as one of the premier big men in the NBA.
During the 2007-08 NBA season, he missed all but eight games due to a left ruptured Achilles’. In the offseason, he became an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers weren’t willing to roll the dice, but Philadelphia was inking him to a five-year deal worth $80 million.
Brand returned healthy for the 2008-09 NBA season, but he appeared in just 29 contests due to a shoulder injury. His longevity began to wear down at one of the most inopportune times. He returned healthy once again for the 2009-10 campaign, but his production dropped to just 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
Philadelphia posted a 27-55 record that season. The next season, things improved to 41-41 as Brand averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. His production dipped during the 2011-12 NBA season once again, however, forcing Philadelphia to trade him to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2012 NBA offseason.
Brand finished his final season putting up 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 60 appearances with the 76ers. He did return to the team back in 2015-16 where he ultimately retired. Brand currently serves as the team’s general manager.