Philadelphia 76ers Sign Elton Brand To Mentor Jahlil Okafor


The Philadelphia 76ers took another step towards fixing their franchise by signing veteran forward Elton Brand as a mentor for troubled rookie center Jahlil Okafor, according to ESPN.

Back in December, it was reported that NBA owners had insisted that commissioner Adam Silver nudge the Philadelphia 76ers into becoming a franchise, one that actually tried to win.

Many owners had grown tired of the Philadelphia 76ers purposely putting out bad teams so that they can stock up on high draft picks, as it affected how much money everyone made.

In a widely well received move around the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers wisely brought in Jerry Colangelo and made him their new Chairman of Basketball Operations. He’s the big boss.

Jerry Colangelo quickly established what the Philadelphia 76ers needed to improve upon. Colangelo wanted more experience on the bench, both with the players and the coaching staff.

An upgrade was made to the Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff when Mike D’Antonio, whom Jerry Colangelo worked with in the Phoenix Suns organization, was hired as an assistant.

Since he had three young big men that needed guidance, Jerry Colangelo then decided to sign Elton Brand, a veteran that has been in the NBA since 1999. Brand was a first overall pick.

Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor [Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images]
Through his own words, Elton Brand informed NBA fans that he was not coming back because of financial trouble. Brand also stated that he was not coming back to chase a ring.

Elton Brand flat out stated that he was coming back to the NBA because he wanted to be a mentor for younger players, something that he admittedly did not do enough in years past.

In less than half a season, Jahlil Okafor has already proven that he can be one of the best offensive centers in the NBA. Okafor’s problem is that he needs to stay out of the headlines.

With a relatively clean record of conduct, Elton Brand can help steer Jahlil Okafor away from a lot of the trouble that he has been finding himself in. Brand can hold Okafor accountable.

Since both of them played for the Duke Blue Devils, there might even be an automatic bond between Elton Brand and Jahlil Okafor. A lot of college alumni gravitate towards each other.

Before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand met with Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Jahlil Okafor in college, about the opportunity to come back and become a mentor.

Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel [Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]
Just like Jahlil Okafor, Elton Brand is much more impressive on the offensive end than he was on the defensive end, so the latter can teach the former a couple of his own moves.

Of course, Elton Brand isn’t just going to be working with Jahlil Okafor. The Philadelphia 76ers also need Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid to become NBA level front court players.

From a basketball standpoint, Elton Brand can still provide a couple of minutes a night as a reserve. Brand won’t put up star numbers, but he can easily lead by example on the court.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take whatever they can get from Elton Brand on the court, as his bigger role on the team is to be a mentor to Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid.

If Elton Brand can develop those three guys into good players, then he will be worth whatever the Philadelphia 76ers decided to pay him. A coaching gig would then be discussed.

Elton Brand did not live up to the $80 million contract that the Philadelphia 76ers paid him back in 2008, but he can make up for all of that by helping to build the team for the future.

Elton Brand can help save the Philadelphia 76ers.

[Featured Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]

Share this article: Philadelphia 76ers Sign Elton Brand To Mentor Jahlil Okafor
More from Inquisitr