The 76ers are reportedly signing Elton Brand, who could mentor the team’s many young players.
But one of them – Christian Wood – won’t be around to receive Brand’s advice.
Keith Pompey of The Inquirer:
Christian Wood will be player released to make room for Elton Brand.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 4, 2016
I rated Wood a first-round prospect, but he went undrafted amid attitude concerns. The The 76ers signed him to a very team-friendly contract – three more unguaranteed seasons at the minimum, including a team option for the final season (which would allow to make him a restricted free agent after three years as opposed on unrestricted free agent after four if desired). And the 20-year-old has shown flashes in the D-League, averaging 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Young, talented and raw – Wood is exactly the type of player rebuilding teams should take a chance on.
It’d usually be telling that the team that best knows Wood would waive him. But signing Brand, like trading for Ish Smith, was clearly drive more by Jerry Colangelo than Sam Hinkie. How well does Colangelo, hired just a few weeks ago, know Wood? Perhaps, Hinkie had significant say in which player to drop once Brand’s signing was agreed upon. But that would mean only so much.
It’s far more likely Wood can help the 76ers once they’re ready to win than Brand, who’ll be even further over the hill. But maybe Brand can help them get to that point sooner.
That’s the bet Philadelphia is making. It’s not the bet I’d make.
