Elton Brand agrees to sign with Philly, Maggette with Golden State

[Halu Sination]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers9-2008jul09,0,7626268.story

Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement to sign a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to an NBA source who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on player movements.

The deal is believed to be in the $80-million range and expected to span five years.

Brand opted out of the final season of his Clippers contract last week to become a free agent. He was due $16.4 million had he stayed in the contract.

The deal cannot be finalized until the league's moratorium period ends at midnight EDT on Tuesday.

In another deal today, former Clipper Corey Maggette reached agreement to join the Golden State Warriors in a five-year deal worth about $50 million, according to NBA sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about player movements. Maggette also opted out of the last year of his Clippers contract last week.

The 76ers were the latest team to join the bidding frenzy for Brand, joining the Clippers and Golden State Warriors, who have already made five-year offers for Brand, according to the sources.

The 76ers cleared salary cap space Tuesday when they traded forwards Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth and a future No. 1 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that has yet to be officially announced but was first reported by Yahoo.com.

Brand has not been reached for comment since he opted out of the final season of his Clippers contract last week. He flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with Falk last week and had a medical checkup with Dr. Craig Morgan in Wilmington, Del., the sources said.

Brand missed all but eight games last season with the Clippers because of a ruptured Achilles tendon.

"If somebody asked me whether he'd be healthy or had any ongoing fears, I would say no," it's not a problem, Morgan said Tuesday.

When Brand opted out of the final year of his Clippers' contract, he said Philadelphia would be one of the desirable alternatives. The move would put him back on the East Coast, where he grew up and went to college, with a team that has a strong nucleus of young players.

The Clippers' verbal contract agreement with free-agent point guard Baron Davis is not expected to be altered by Brand's decision, according to the sources.

The Clippers initially offered Brand, 29, a five-year, $70-million contract, which was expected to be the highest they could go while still signing Davis, according to NBA sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about player movements.

The Clippers then boosted their offer to Brand to five years and $80 million by renouncing the rights to other players, but it wasn't enough to re-sign him. The Warriors had tendered Brand a five-year, $90-million offer.

[Lunatic]

WOW!

[jeromechickenbone]

damn I really thought he was gonna re-sign in LA.

[Halu Sination]

if this is 100% legit (la times has posted inaccurate info before), then FUCK YOU ELTON BRAND. and wow baron davis just got shitted on.

[Lunatic]

wow baron davis just got shitted on.

for real

[FuckTheWorld]

damnnn

[Sparegeez]

baron davis just got shitted on.

Remember, it was only a verbal agreement.

And damn, I don't know how to feel about the Maggette signing. I'm happy we made a move, but the guy plays no defense and has been injury plagued. I guess I just have to hope for the best, maybe it works out in GS's favor.

[Chamillitary Click]

HAHA my sixers are takin the east this year!!! fuck boston.

[GangstaBoogy]

As much as I love Josh Smith, Brand would be a way better pick-up. They don't need 2 sidekicks. Brand and Iggy will be sick (IF this is true).

I have trouble believing Maggette would choose Golden State over San Antonio, Boston, and Orlando.

[OchoCinco]

man thats crazy shit...bd must be pissed

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

LOL...sucks for the Clippers. Everyone really thought he would re-sign.

Maggette is sorta like J-Rich, so he'll fit into GS's system, but you're still not a playoff team.

[OchoCinco]

ye maggette is not defence which they need, word is davis could still come back hahah ...wouldnt that be shit for clippers haha. no davis no brand and no magette lol shiiiiittt

[Quadruple OG]

if true, good for the sixers, but SMH at Elton Brand. Supposedly made a handshake agreement that he'd stay in LA for Baron Davis, and he bolts east for more money

I have trouble believing Maggette would choose Golden State over San Antonio, Boston, and Orlando.

I have no trouble believing it...Golden State has the money to throw at him because of Davis opting out.

[OG Hack Wilson]

wow, damn.

[GangstaBoogy]

Maggette is sorta like J-Rich, so he'll fit into GS's system, but you're still not a playoff team.

Yeah but they don't have B.Diddy anymore. Whos gonna run point, Monta Ellis?

word is davis could still come back hahah ...wouldnt that be shit for clippers haha. no davis no brand and no magette lol shiiiiittt

What? Didn't he sign a contract? Or was it just an offer-sheet?