NBA: 5 NBA Executives with the most to prove in the future

Elton Brand – Philadelphia 76ers

Next, we have a former player and current NBA general manager Elton Brand. Interestingly enough, Brand has played for the Philadelphia 76ers twice. In fact, at the beginning of the current NBA collective bargaining agreement, the Sixers used their amnesty clause provision to waive Brand back in 2012. This move ultimately saved the team a roster spot and allowed Brand to collect his $18 million while being able to provide his service elsewhere.

Since Brand was amnestied, the Sixers have gone through a complete overhaul. Going from a middling Eastern Conference team to a bottom-tier team, and now a true contender out east. Now, the effort can be attributed to a few sources, such as Sam Hinkie and Bryan Colangelo. Hinkie brought in the assets and Colangelo made the picks once Hinkie was booted out. Anyway, the point here is that the Sixers have spent the better part of the 2010s building a contender.

Fast-forward almost six years and Brand is the current general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s funny how things work out. Now, once Colangelo stepped down, Brand was brought in as the safe pick. Brand was already running the show for the Sixers’ G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. Ultimately, the Sixers promoted Brand.

Since his promotion, Brand has not disappointed. He has brought in the likes of Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, and Al Horford over the course of his tenure. These moves have helped the Sixers compete hard, but they simply have not gone over the hump. But, the Sixers were one shot away from making the NBA Eastern Conference Finals last season, so hope is not lost here.

Eventually, it will come down to team construction, among other things, to ensure that Brand’s job is safe.