Trade Machine: Elton Brand edition

I was at work earlier today when I saw the one of Chad Ford's trade possibility articles on a co-worker's desktop. He was away, so I quickly sat down to see if he mentioned the Sixers at all. Sure enough, there was Andre Miller's goofy picture on his "point guards being shopped" list. I glanced at what he had written underneath Miller's name, only to find Elton Brand mentioned as a potential trading chip!

When we discussed the possibility of an Elton for Amare swap last week I thought it had absolutely zero chance of happening, like not even .00001%. But after reading Ford's asinine (as John would say) speculation, the same words that came out of Lloyd Christmas's mouth came out of mine. "So you're telling me there's a chance." Given, it's a small chance, now that the almightily Chad Ford has classified Elton as "available", there is a small chance it could be true.

I'm in the group that thinks the Elton Brand experiment has failed. I realize he hasn't played much. I realize he was being coached by Mo Cheeks. And I realize that he sustained a major injury. But it hasn't worked the way it was supposed to and I don't think it ever will. I'm not going to blame Ed for the signing, or the contract, because I would've done the same thing. And don't even think about bringing up Josh Smith, because I just did, and there was no way anyone was going to pry him away from Atlanta. That being said, depending on what kind of players(s) Stefanski could get in return, I don't think trading Brand would be the worst idea. Here are the trades Ford mentioned in his chat.

 

Incoming Players
	Rasheed Wallace Salary: $13,930,000  Years Remaining: 1 PTS: 12.2  REB: 7.6  AST: 1.2  PER: 14.29

Outgoing Players: Elton Brand

 

Incoming Players
	Elton Brand Salary: $13,757,844  Years Remaining: 5 PTS: 14.8  REB: 9.3  AST: 1.4  PER: 14.63

Outgoing Players: Rasheed Wallace

This is my favorite of the three deals mentioned.

 

• Rasheed is an expiring contract. 
•  We rid ourselves of Elton's monstrous contract and get a chance to start over. 
• Rasheed can spread the floor and hit a 3. 
• We could still run with a starting lineup of Miller, Green, Iggy, Thad and Sheed with Sammy D coming off the bench. 

So, this allows the team to stay just as competitive, if not more competitive, and frees up a ton of salary when Sheed leaves, assuming he doesn't re-sign.

 

 

Incoming Players
	Elton Brand Salary: $13,757,844  Years Remaining: 5 PTS: 14.8  REB: 9.3  AST: 1.4  PER: 14.63

Outgoing Players: Amare Stoudemire

 

Incoming Players
	Amare Stoudemire Salary: $15,070,550  Years Remaining: 3 PTS: 21.1  REB: 8.1  AST: 2.2  PER: 20.80

Outgoing Players: Elton Brand

This one would be my favorite if it were more realistic. As much as I try and talk myself into this ever happening, it still has no chance. Imagine what it would be like if it did though.

 

Incoming Players
	Shawn Marion Salary: $17,810,000  Years Remaining: 1 PTS: 12.0  REB: 9.0  AST: 1.9  PER: 15.98

Outgoing Players: Willie Green, Elton Brand

 

Incoming Players
	Willie Green Salary: $3,388,000  Years Remaining: 3 PTS: 8.0  REB: 1.5  AST: 2.0  PER: 10.50
	Elton Brand Salary: $13,757,844  Years Remaining: 5 PTS: 14.8  REB: 9.3  AST: 1.4  PER: 14.63

Outgoing Players: Shawn Marion

This one is very similar to the Sheed trade. A lineup of Miller, Iggy, Thad, Marion and Sam would be able to run the fast break like crazy and it would also banish Willie Green from the starting lineup, which is always a plus. The salaries don't match up, so Miami would have to take someone like Willie or Reggie to make the deal work. Those are two players I wouldn't be apposed to losing, especially Willie. As a matter of fact, I'd probably have a party if Willie was traded.

 

Incoming Players
	Elton Brand Salary: $13,757,844  Years Remaining: 5 PTS: 14.8  REB: 9.3  AST: 1.4  PER: 14.63

Outgoing Players: Larry Hughes, Tyrus Thomas

 

Incoming Players
	Larry Hughes Salary: $12,827,676  Years Remaining: 2 PTS: 12.0  REB: 3.1  AST: 2.0  PER: 14.64
	Tyrus Thomas Salary: $3,749,880  Years Remaining: 2 PTS: 8.5  REB: 5.3  AST: 0.9  PER: 14.58

Outgoing Players: Elton Brand

If you looked up the phrase "panic trade" in the dictionary, this trade is probably pictured. Although Tyrus might, could, kinda sorta fit the run n' gun style, two words come to mind when thinking about this trade. Hell and no.