Former Sixer Elton Brand named GM of Delaware 87ers

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Elton Brand has always been around the Sixers in one way or another. He wasn't always healthy, but he made himself known that he was someone that others loved to be around.

After spending much of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, Brand signed a five-year deal with the Sixers before the 2008-09 season.

After retiring for the first time, Brand spent time with the Atlanta Hawks, and then finished his playing career with Philadelphia in 2016.

This past December, Brand was named the Player Development Consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers, giving him a chance to see what it's like to be in the front office of a basketball organization.

Apparently, he did a pretty good job at that, as on August 28, the Sixers named Brand the General Manager of the Sixers' G-League team, the Delaware 87ers.

Welcome to Delaware, EB! pic.twitter.com/hWxcH4Dtmf

— Delaware 87ers (@Sevens) August 28, 2017

Brand had a quality NBA career, averaging 16 points and nine rebounds in a career spanning 17 seasons. But now Brand has gotten a major promotion, in what he hopes will jumpstart his front office career.

Bryan Colangelo, the Sixers' President of Basketball Operations had kind words to say for Elton Brand's new gig.

“We are thrilled that Elton has agreed to take on the GM position of the Sevens, a natural next step given both his personal and professional skillset,” said Colangelo. “The transition from a terrific playing career to team management was something that we have been talking about for some time and this opportunity is both timely and appropriate. I look forward to working side-by-side with Elton as we continue to grow and develop our overall basketball program.”

It's good to see Brand getting more opportunities, and this one is a pretty important one, as it helps groom the future a little bit more.