Elton Brand?

[KU_216]

Most people on this board loved the idea of Elton Brand not that long ago. Brand is a terrible fit with Philly and their other players and style of play. He would be a better fit in Cleveland. Prior to last season he played 81, 79, and 80 games the previous 2 seasons. His shoulder injury this year was a fluke injury and not because of age or wear and tear.

The biggest question with Brand is the huge contract he just signed that runs through 2013. I do think he can be a good effective player for the rest of his contract. Not knowing if there are better options that could realistically be available in the near future it's tough to make a complete judgment on the possibility of Brand.
Brand would be that very good PF who can score that most feel the Cavs need if Varejao is going to be playing most of the C minutes in the future after Z.

I don't see the Cavs trading for him at this point. It would bring a pretty big mid-season adjustment along with adding a huge contract for a 30 year old player. I wouldn't be opposed to it if Brand was added though. I love the idea of adding a player like Bosh or one at a similar level and would prefer that but I just see the odds of that happening as far from a sure thing.

Exactly. I knew from the moment Philly signed him, it was going to be a mistake. Brand, at this point in his career, is much better suited in a slow, half court game. That doesn't mix well at all with Philly's uptempo style. Given his age, and contract situation, I don't think I'd do a trade, unless it was an absolute steal on our end.

 

[NarlCavs]

Other than the achilles injury last year Brand hasn't been an injury prone player for most of his career. He did miss 33 games from 2002-2004 but prior to last season had played almost every game in his career. I don't see him as a player who's constantly injured. The shoulder injury this season is a freak thing that could have happened to anyone, not as a result of physical problems.

Brand could very well be a possibility as a big time acquisition for the Cavs. I still don't know if the Cavs will take a chance on bringing in a major rotation player or look rather into more of a role player.

 

[myriadwhims]

Doesn't Philly have horrible shooters as well? They had no way to play inside out and take advantage of Brand's game in the half court.

With West, Boobie, Mo, and Z to surround him with... Yikes.

Plus, maybe it's just me, but it always seems like the Cavs look for 3 things in big men: 1. Defense. 2. Rebounding. 3. Character

Brand is the total package and then some.

 

[Pioneer10]

Would love to have Brand but it will be a risk. Achilles tendon injuries can be tricky. They have a high chance of recurrence and Brand being on the short side for a PF really depends on having good hops. The Cavs would really need to make sure that leg is back healthy and he won't be playing one-legged for the rest of his contract

 

[Mdog1]

Would love to have Brand but it will be a risk. Achilles tendon injuries can be tricky. They have a high chance of recurrence and Brand being on the short side for a PF really depends on having good hops. The Cavs would really need to make sure that leg is back healthy and he won't be playing one-legged for the rest of his contract

Well if he did come here maybe we would throw him into the BW role? Start him for 25-28 minutes. That way he will stay healthier.

 

[abuC]

Depends on what it would take to get him, if it's just Wally and a first, then jump on it. Anything beyond that and pass.

 

[Zog]

I think Brand could be exactly what we need, even if only for 25 minutes a game as Mdog said. He's a pretty good defender and can knock down the midrange shot, as well as post up.

Wally + 1st for Brand would be a good deal. Also, we can let him get as healthy as possible before he comes back, as it really won't hurt our depth at all to not have Wally anymore...

 

[Mdog1]

Why a first though? I mean isn't the Bulls #2 we have going to be more valuable then or #1? Because of the non guaranteed contract aspect of it?

 

[Coyote]

What's the chance that Philly really bails on him this early? It's not like they expected him to mesh right away, and then wham -- he's hurt.

That said, he'd be a great fit here but his contract...hmm. Not liking that.

Seems like a deal we might hear about over the summer?

 

[abuC]

I see people calling him undersized, but he's a legit 6"9 in shoes and weighs 260lbs, also because of his high shoulders and humongous wingspan he has a standing reach of 9"2, for comparison Chris Kaman, Darko Millicic, Greg Oden, Dwight Howard and other 7 footers are all between 9"2 and 9"4.

 

[Ninja108]

Brand is the classic example of a high risk/high reward player, very similar to a Tracy McGrady, who is also rumored to be on the trading block. These types of players could be terrible due to injury, or they could be the difference between a championship and another almost got 'em. Either way, "Blue Steel" himself Wally Szczerbiak is definitely not that player. An Elton Brand could be though.

 

[Silky Smooth]

I would love to get Elton Brand. Yes his age and recent injuries are of concern but he is an unselfish all star that is on a team that doesnt fit his set of skills. With his skills he can be effective for the rest of his contract. IMO the worst he can be at 33 years old is Joe Smith. Is that really all that bad when we would have JJ Hickson probably being our starter by then?

 

[BigErieCavsFan]

IMO the worst he can be at 33 years old is Joe Smith. Is that really all that bad...

Great opinion...

 

[Hydroponic3385]

Yeah but Joe Smith isn't making 13-18 million a year over the next 5 years.

 

[Maximus]

Yeah but Joe Smith isn't making 13-18 million a year over the next 5 years.

Then you trade him 4 years from now as a valuable 18M expiring. Between now and then he could be that 20 & 10 PF we've been clamoring for....i think he'd be a great fit here. With Z and Lebron as bookends, and some outside shooters/slashers he'd be a total force. Our starting five would be absolutely filthy....without sacrificing depth.