The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Grading Elton Brand’s full first year as GM

By Lucas Johnson

Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers, Tobias Harris (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Tobias Harris (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

February, 2019

Traded Landry Shamet, Mike Muscala Wilson Chandler, 2020 first round pick (Top-14 protected), 2021 first round pick (via the Miami Heat), 2021 second round pick (via the Detroit Pistons) and 2023 second round pick (via the Pistons) for Tobias Harris, Mike Scott and Boban Marjanovic: Grade B

Getting an establish star in Harris is always going to be a win for the Sixers. It made the franchise a top team in the East. It also landed them two quality players in Scott and Marjanovic. Scott was essential to Philly’s bench last season and Marjanovic was a solid backup, despite his flaws as a defender. However, there’s a reason why this trade didn’t get a higher grade.

All three players that the 76ers got were on the last year on their contracts. Giving up a four draft picks, two of them being first rounders, is a lot for a star level player and two role players that were set to become free agents. On top of that, Philly also included Shamet in the deal, who was looking like a real piece of the future. Before being traded, he was averaging 8.3 points on 40.4 percent shooting from downtown.

Brand over-payed for Harris in this trade, but the Sixers were already chasing a title and Harris gave them more star power to make a harder push for a championship. Sadly, it didn’t pay off last season.

Traded cash for rights for Emir Preldzic and Malachi Richardson. Then waived Malachi Richardson: Grade D-

This was trade made no sense for the 76ers to do. This could go done as one of the worse moves by Brand in his first year.

Swapping rights for 2021 second round picks with Houston Rockets for James Ennis: Grade B+

Brand may have over payed for Harris, but he bounced back in the deal to land Ennis. The 76ers basically gave up nothing to acquire a rotational 3-and-D wing from Houston. Ennis soon estblished himself as the best wing option off the bench for the Sixers with his 3-point shooting and rebounding.

Traded Markelle Fultz to the Orland Magic for Jonathon Simmons, 2019 second round pick (via the Cleveland Cavaliers) and 2020 first round pick (protected top-20 via the Oklahoma City Thunder, if the pick doesn’t convery then it turns into two second round picks in 2022 and 2023): Grade C+

To be clear, Brand wasn’t ever going to be able to get equal or great value for Fultz. Fultz’s injury and the drama surrounding it, made his trade value drop as a former top pick of the draft. Still getting a veteran, a first round pick and a second round pick aren’t bad all things considering. If Fultz explodes onto the scene for the Magic this year, it could cause the grade of this trade to drop.

April, 2019

Waived Justin Patton: B+

Patton was a part of the Butler trade, but he took most of the season to rehab a foot injury. When he was ready to take the court it was clear he wasn’t able to help improve the center depth chart for the Sixers. Moving on from him was probably a wise move considering the 76ers were getting ready for the playoffs.

Signed Greg Monroe: C-

Monroe was signed after Patton was waived. The signing had mixed results. Monroe had some playoff success, but struggled to be positive for Philly as the playoffs drew on. In the playoffs, he only averaged 4.0 points and 3.1 rebounds.  Monroe is great offensively, but his inability to defend is the reason why this signing wasn’t a good move.