The Sixers are talking to Elton Brand and Shane Battier in the hopes they can serve as role models for the team’s slew of younger players, sources tell TNT’s David Aldridge, who writes in his Morning Tip column for NBA.com. It’s unclear whether the idea is for them to serve in a playing, coaching or front office capacity. Battier retired as a player after the 2013/14 season, while Brand, who spent the past two seasons with the Hawks, cast doubt on the idea of playing again during an interview this past summer. Zach Lowe of ESPN.com identified Brand on Friday as someone to keep an eye on as the team looks for veterans to add to its roster.
New chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo dismissed the idea that son Bryan Colangelo, the former Suns and Raptors GM, will join the Sixers front office, telling Aldridge that it’s mere speculation. Still, the team does plan to bring aboard Mike D’Antoni as an assistant coach, Aldridge writes.
Former commissioner David Stern played a role in bringing the Sixers together with Jerry Colangelo, a source tells Aldridge. The NBA was “irate” at the way the Sixers handled the reports of Jahlil Okafor‘s various off–court incidents, according to Aldridge. GM Sam Hinkie treated the news with his trademark silence.
“I would say I was present when decisions were made, but there are some things we can do better,” Hinkie said. “We purposely laid low, and I purposely laid low, for a number of reasons. And I’ve always been very comfortable, and [coach] Brett [Brown]‘s been very comfortable, being out front for us when need be, because we trust each other, and we’re attached at the hip in a lot of ways. But sometimes, another voice helps.”
Brand, a David Falk client who spent four years with the Sixers between 2008 and 2012, averaged 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game for a 60-win Atlanta team last season. This past spring represented the first time the former No. 1 overall pick appeared in the conference finals. Battier, a client of Jim Tanner, went to the finals in all three of his years with the Heat, with whom he last played, and twice won the championship. He averaged 4.1 points in 20.1 minutes and shot 34.8% from 3-point range in his final season on an NBA roster.
Knowing him, he prefers retirement at this stage, but if he would play, the Heat could really use Batter right about now. Not as much as last year, but definitely still.
He would be a great person for those young players to learn from. He is very intelligent. He is a winner. He understands all of the things you need to do to be a winner. He is also very into analytical data. He loves basketball. Really can’t say enough about him.
The most significant part of adding these particular players is they both played for Duke. It would be hard bringing any veteran who couldn’t contribute much to a bad team with a losing culture . With both players being from Duke, they both have the respect of coach K and will automatically have the respect of Okafor. This is the grooming process of making Jalil the face of the franchise.
Sam Hinkie is a low life. So glad Coach Brown got an extension and hope Sam is out the door soon
Hinkie isn’t going anywhere. believe that. #TrustTheProcess
This is good news. Philly has the parts and pieces needed this offseason to make moves. This will help players feel comfortable signing there in coming years with respected vets as coaches.