10 Players the Philadelphia 76ers signed past their prime
By Tyler Watts
9. Elton Brand
The 76ers current general manager was the number one overall pick in 1999 and a two-time All-Star with the Clippers. Brand averaged over 20 points, a double-double, and north of two blocks per game in six of his first eight NBA seasons. The 6’9 big man won Rookie of the Year in 2000 and was named second-team All-NBA in 2006.
He was one of the best power forwards in the league, but a ruptured Achilles limited him to just eight games in the 2007-08 campaign and marked the beginning of his decline.
Brand became a free agent in 2009, and the 76ers signed him to a five-year deal worth $79.8 million. The Clippers were unwilling to match, despite the forward’s desire to stay in Los Angeles. He spent the next four years in Philly where he was still a quality starter, but far from a star. Brand averaged 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.3 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game, which was well below his career averages at that point.
The 76ers waived Brand in July 2012 before bringing him back in 2016. The 36-year-old retired after playing just 17 games where he averaged 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per contest. It was his final NBA stint.
The Philadelphia 76ers signed Elton Brand twice when he was past his prime and neither worked out as planned.