Report: Elton Brand Re-Signs With Hawks
Can’t escape the inevitable connection between the Atlanta Hawks and the Duke Blue Devils these days. This one is more benign at least. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Atlanta Hawks have signed power forward Elton Brand to a one year deal worth $ 2 million dollars.
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Brand is in the 16th season of his pro career and would come off the bench for the Hawks. The Hawks already have Al Horford and Paul Millsap in the frontcourt and now have Adreian Payne to serve as the stretch four behind Millsap. Brand already played this role with the Hawks last season, averaging 5.7 points and 5 rebounds a game.
Elton Brand’s best years are behind him, but he still brings the energy and activity in the low post to be a useful bench player. James Hebert of CBS Sports noted that Brand was particularly useful when Horford got hurt last year. The Hawks still managed to make the playoffs, despite some question of whether or not they actually wanted to make the playoffs.
Apr 24, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Elton Brand (42) shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Assuming a healthy Hawks lineup, Brand should still be able to bring it with reduced minutes. His reduced stats last year were partially a product of fatigue.
For the Hornets, it is just important to note that Atlanta is one of the Southeastern division rivals that Charlotte will play the most over the course of the season. The Hornets will need some kind of low post defender to deal with Horford, Millsap, and Brand. That may make Noah Vonleh’s recovery slightly more important than it already was.
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