10. Signing Elton Brand
The 76ers made the playoffs in 2008 with a young roster led by Andre Iguodala. Andre Miller was their only player over 27 years old in the rotation, and Philly wanted to add to their group.
They cleared cap space by trading Calvin Booth, Rodney Carney, and a first-round pick to Minnesota for a draft selection that never conveyed. The Sixers were set on taking a step forward but overestimated how Brand would bounce back from his injury.
Brand was rumored to be re-signing with the Clippers, but he took Philly’s five-year deal worth $80-plus million. It gave the 76ers a two-time All-Star in the frontcourt, but Brand played just eight games in the 2007-08 season because of an Achilles injury. The 6’9 big man was never the same.
Brand was a starter for four years before the Sixers waived him entering the final season of his contract. They made the playoffs three times but managed to win just one postseason series with him. It was a disappointing tenure and a massive overpay.
The 76ers should have kept building out their young core
The free agent class was not strong in 2008. Baron Davis, Corey Maggette, Josh Smith, Monta Ellis, and Brand were some of the best names available.
The Sixers would have been better off splitting up their cap space among multiple role players or making a trade to improve their roster. Instead, they locked in a 6’9 big man coming off Achilles surgery long-term.
Brand was a serviceable option, but never lived up to his massive contract. Philly won 40 games in 2008 without him and never topped 41 victories in his four seasons with the 76ers. It was not $80 million well spent.