It’s been around a year since the Philadelphia 76ers hired one of their former players to take over the role of general manager.
Sept. 20th, 2019 marked a full year that the Philadelphia 76ers front office has operated under general manager (GM) Elton Brand. With a year passed and the new season just lingering around the corner, it seems only appropriated that all of the moves that Brand made in his first year as GM should be graded.
Brand was hired after the infamous end of former president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo. Prior to his hiring, Brand was a seasoned veteran who played for 16 seasons in the NBA, including a handful of those with the Sixers. After he retired from the NBA, he soon found his way into the Sixers front office and then became the GM of Philly’s G-League affiliate, the then Delaware 87ers. The 76ers G-League affiliate was since rebranded as the Delaware Blue Coats.
It should be noted, changes to the coaching staff, front office and G-League assignments won’t be included in this grades. Transactions will be broken up by which months they occurred in with exception to the draft and trades that happened as a result of the draft. The grading begins from September, 2018 to September, 2019.
September, 2018
Signed Emeka Okafor: Grade C+
The move was to bolster to the training camp roster, so in that regard this move was a solid one. Okafor was familar with the Sixers due to the fact he played with the Delaware 87ers the previous season. The 76ers had suspect depth at the center spot entering the year, so having him in training camp roster made sense.
October, 2018
Waived Norvel Pelle: Grade B
After he was waived, Pelle had a very good season with the Blue Coats. He averaged 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. Pelle ended up being one of the best defenders in the G-League last year, so haivng him in Delaware was a good choice.
Waived Anthony Brown: Grade B-
Brown had played for four NBA teams prior to joining the Sixers trianing camp. He’s an athletic wing, but has failed to stick anywhere. He wasn’t signed by Elton Brand, but Brand made the right move by waiving him.
Signed and waived DJ Hogg: Grade C+
Hogg was an undrafted rookie that showed potential as a stretch four in college at Texas Tech. He ended up playing on the Blue Coats roster last year after the Sixers waived him. With Delaware he averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 blocks, while converting 36.8 percent of his 3-pointers. The Blue Coats recently traded Hogg’s returning player rights to the Wisconsin Herd.
Signed and waived Matt Farrell: C+
This was another training camp signing, but Farrell did play pretty good for Delaware last season. He averaged 10.8 points and 5.6 assists, while making 35.1 percent of his 3-pointers with the Blue Coats. He recently joined the Austin Spurs because Delaware traded his returning player rights.
Signed and waived Darin Johnson: D-
Johnson had played with Sixers G-League affilaite the season before. Back when Brand was the club’s GM. Johnson didn’t play well for the then 87ers, as he only averaged 6.3 points on 30.9 percent shooting on 3-pointers. He didn’t play for Delaware last season, so the move really didn’t make much sense.
Signed and waived Corey Jefferson: C-
Jefferson hasn’t been able to find a home in the NBA yet and last season after the Sixers signed and waived him, he didn’t do anything to help himself find one. The power forward only averaged 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, while making 39.4 percent of his field goal attempts with the Blue Coats.
Waived Emeka Okafor: C-
Simply there’s wasn’t enough room for Okafor on the roster. Joel Embiid, Amir Johnson, Jonah Bolden and Mike Muscala took up roster spots and all could play the center role. Okafor might have been better defensively then Johnson and Muscala based on the two’s play last season.
November, 2018
Trade Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless and 2022 second round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton: Grade A
In the longterm outlook this grade might be considered generous, but at the time that this went down and for the rest of the season, this was the best move made by Brand. Butler was what the Sixers needed last season. He was someone who can create their own shot and defend at a high level. While the union wasn’t long, it was worth it.
The biggest take away from this trade was the fact that Philly didn’t have to give up a first round pick to acquire a star of Butler’s level. Giving up an elite defender like Covington wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Saric and Bayless are no longer on the T-Wolves. Saric was a part of a trade to the Phoenix Suns for the drafts rights too Jarrett Culver and Bayless became a free agent.
All three players traded to Minnesota struggled last season. Covington was injured most of last year, Saric was a bench player the majority of the time and Bayless had one of the worst seasons of his NBA career.
January, 2019
Waived Demetrius Jackson: B+
It made since to waive Jackson and open up a two-way contract. At the time, the Sixers had point guards Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, Landry Shamet and T.J. McConnell on the roster. There was too much depth for him to get any legit chance at playing time and based on his 3-point percentage of 30.6 percent with the Blue Coats, he couldn’t have been that much of a help to Philly anyway.
Signed Haywood Highsmith: B-
With Jackson gone, Brand didn’t waste much time and signed Highsmith to a two-way deal. Highsmith proved to be a solid wing with 3-and-D potential. He was already on the Blue Coats before he signed a two-way deal. Last season with Delaware, he averaged 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals, while converting 33.8 percent of his 3-pointers. He filled a need the Sixers had at the time, so the move was a wise one by Brand.
Signed Corey Brewer twice: B+
Brewer gave the Sixers some much needed depth and energy during this past January. He was signed to two 10-day contracts and played well, especially on the defensive end. In seven games, he averaged 7.6 points and 1.7 steals, while making 40.8 percent of his field goals. Brewer wasn’t a good 3-point shooter, but he was one the best defenders that the Sixers had on their roster all season. It was a shame that Brand didn’t sign him for the rest of the year.
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.
June, 2019
The NBA Draft/Trades: C+
This draft was unique for Philly. They had five picks going into the draft and only came away with two players in Matisse Thybulle and Marial Shayok. Both fit are projected to become 3-and-D players as they develop. Despite coming away with two solid players, this draft can’t be consider a win for the Sixers.
The Sixers traded the the 24th pick and the 33rd pick to acquire the rights for Thybulle who was drafted with the 20th pick by the Boston Celtics. Thybulle is one of the best defenders in the draft, but giving the rights for Ty Jerome who was drafted with the 24th pick and Carsen Edwards at the 33rd pick was a steep price to pay. Both project to be good point guards in the NBA in due time.
The team then drafted and traded center Bruno Fernando to the Atlanta Hawks for the rights to the 57th pick (Jordan Bone), a 2020 second round pick (protected 56-60) and a 2023 second round pick. The compensation for Fernando wasn’t bad, but the Sixers could have used a big man like him to help fortify the depth at the center position.
Philly traded the rights to the 42nd pick, who ended up being Admiral Schofield and Jonathon Simmons to the Washington Wizards for cash. The move was a way to dump Simmons’ salary before free agency, it just wasn’t a good look to attach a pick in this past draft to do so.
After the Sixers acquired the rights to the 57th that was used to draft Jordan Bone, they traded that his draft rights to the Detroit Piston for a 2024 second round pick (via the Miami Heat) and cash. Bone might have been able to help at the point guard depth, but getting another pick and cash seemed to be a trend for Brand during this draft.
Waived Haywood Highsmith: Grade B-
Despite having a solid season in the G-League, Highsmith failed to make an impression when he played with the 76ers. In five games he was only able to average 1.8 points. Highsmith probably hasn’t finished developing yet, but waiving him opened up a spot for more pressing need.
July, 2019
Sign Norvel Pelle: Grade B
After having a stellar season with the Blue Coats and gaining G-League All-Defensive team honors, Pelle proved he’s a quality defensive center. With the Sixers waiving Highsmith, Brand signed Pelle to a two-way contract, so that Pelle can provide emergency minutes at the center spot if need be.
Philadelphia 76ers signed-and-traded Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat and traded rights to Mathias Lessort to the Los Angeles Clippers. Clippers sent cash to the Heat. Blazers traded Maurice Harkless to the Clippers and traded Meyers Leonard to the Heat. Heat traded Josh Richardson to the Sixers, traded 2023 first round pick (top 14 protected) to the Clippers and traded Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trailblazers: Grade B+
There’s so much that can be dissected in this trade, but to keep it simple, let’s just look at the Butler, Lessort and Richardson portion of it. Butler was going to free agent, so getting him to agree to a sign-and-trade for a quality two-way wing in Richardson is a major win. Giving up the rights to Lessort is worth the price of not losing Butler for nothing.
Converted 2-way deal of Shake Milton: C+
Milton absolutely deserves a regular roster spot. He went off with the Blue Coats last season averaging 24.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The only reason this move is getting the grade that it is, is because it will be hard for him to get minutes this season in Philly.
Signed Al Horford: Grade B+
Considering that Butler didn’t return to the Sixers, landing a player of Horford’s standings is certainly a win for the 76ers. He’s the best type of insurance policy for Embiid that Philly could have gotten. The only reason why this wasn’t the best signing this summer is because Philly’s paying him for four seasons. By the end of the deal he will be 37-years-old and probably won’t be worth the money he will be getting.
Re-signed Tobias Harris: Grade A-
Considering that Brand gave up much more to acquire Harris than Butler during last season, re-signing Harris was a bigger priority. Harris is also much younger, so he still has a lot of his prime remaining. Re-signing him to a five-year max was the only move that they could have after they amount they gave up to acquire him.
Re-signed Mike Scott: Grade B+
Scott quickly became a staple of the Sixers for his production off the bench last season and his personality. Getting Scott to return on a two-year deal worth $9.8 million was a bargain for the 76ers. He should continue being an important part of Philly’s rotation heading into this upcoming season.
Signed Kyle O’Quinn: Grade B+
Getting O’Quinn in free agency on a one-year minimum was the second biggest steal for this summer in terms of value contract. Just two seasons ago, O’Quinn was a solid starting center for the New York Knicks and should be a valuable backup for Embiid entering this season.
Re-signed James Ennis: Grade B
Retaining Ennis was another win for the Sixers as he was important to their playoff run. He’s not an elite 3-point shooter, but he’s a solid 3-and-D option that fits the Sixers needs. Philly re-signed him below market value at two-year $4.1 million, with a player option for the second year.
Signed Raul Neto: Grade C
In terms of spacing the floor, Neto is better than what they had in McConnell last season. Yet, defense and health remain questions surrounding him. A one-year minimum deal for Neto who can serve as the team’s second or third string option at the point guard depth chart is a solid move.
Ben Simmons contract extension: Grade A+
After being named Rookie of the Year and earning his first All-Star nomination, it was a no brainier for the Sixers to give their star point guard a max-rookie extension. If he adds a jump shot to his game, then his contract extension will have extremely good value.
Signed Christ Koumadje: Grade C
Height can’t be taught and that’s certainly the case with Koumadje. At 7-foot-4, the big man is a unique prospect and signing him makes sense on that alone. He’s still very raw with limited upside, but using an Exhibit 10 to incentivize him to development with the Blue Coats was worth the price.
Re-signed Furkan Korkmaz: Grade D+
In the past, I’ve written about how re-signing Korkmaz was the worst free agent move made by Brand this summer. There were much better players still left on the market and Korkmaz hadn’t proven his worth up to this point either. The only redeeming factor to this move is that he’s young and can still improve. Hopefully, this season will help this grade improve.
Signed Trey Burke: Grade A-
There’s no doubt that Burke has deficencies as a playmaker and defender, but the one thing he’s good at is scoring. The Sixers desparately needed a point guard that could create his own shot and Burke is just that. The fact that they got him on a partially-guaranteed deal was a major steal. He could be the x-factor coming off the bench this season.
August, 2019
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
Signed Isaiah Miles: Grade C+
Brand used Exhibit 10 on a potential 3-and-D forward in Miles. Miles played college ball at St. Joe’s where he impressed and has played in Europe for multiple seasons. Both his college and international play shows he has potential as a NBA player. Assuming he plays with the Sixers G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, Miles should be able show he has NBA potential on a local level.
Overall Grade: B-
After looking over his first year as GM, Brand didn’t do bad. He did have some misses, but for the most part, he either had good to great moves. Brand caused a lot of roster turnover his first year as GM, but he turned the Sixers from a developing team into a true title contender entering the 2019-20 season.
It appears for now, that the Philadelphia 76ers made the right choice in promoting Brand as the team’s GM after the end of the Colangelo era. He hasn’t been perfect, but for the most part he’s done a very solid job. He’s transformed the roster into what he views a title contender should look like. Now fans must observe how well the Sixers develop in year two of Brand’s tenure of GM.