Collins Attachment to Brand may Result in Nocioni Heading Overseas

[Built Ford Tough]

Most likely amnesty cut: Andres Nocioni

 

How likely to use amnesty this season? Slam dunk

 

Other amnesty candidates: Elton Brand

 

Analysis: Scrap any thoughts you have about the Sixers ditching Elton Brand, because sources with knowledge of Philly's thinking have made it clear that it's not an option, even with $35.2 million left on Brand's contract through 2012-13. Sixers coach Doug Collins is Brand's loudest supporter in the organization and will inevitably convince new owner Josh Harris and anyone else he has to that the focus should be on Elton's passable 2010-11 production as opposed to the big money he's still owed.

 

Most insiders surveyed believe that Nocioni, due to earn $6.7 million in 2011-12, will be the Sixer to go. But Philly could try to buy Nocioni out instead, since the Argentine has expressed interest in finishing his career back home or in Europe.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7147880/nba-most-likely-amnesty-candidates

 

Brand may have shown enough last season to convince the new ownership group that he is worth keeping around but he isn't going to get any better and is just going to be paid more as he game continues to deteriorate. The Sixers have two nice young building blocks in Turner and Holiday so it could be a good idea to cut ties with Brand, try to move Iguodala and then start over to allow the new ownership gruop to put their stamp on the team.

 

Would you seriously entertain the thought of cutting Brand? Or do you think that he is worth keeping around, even at the hefty price tag?

[Phightins]

Meh. I'd certainly consider, but with only two years left on the deal I am thinking they will just suck it up and live with it.