Very smart trade from both teams. Phily gets their cap space. Minnesota gets a draft pick for putting up with some temporary clutter.
Is it only two guys (Brand, Josh Smith) that Phily seem to be targeting?
I haven't heard anyone else linked strongly with them.
Does Elton Brand turn them into a contender?
Brand was close to an MVP level awhile back. Iggy is a borderline All-Star. Dalembert is a top defensive center and all round quality player. Andre Miller is a very good starting point guard. They have some role players there (Reggie Evans, Willie Green, Jason Smith) and three prospects in Speights, Thaddeus, Louis Williams. The physical size of Thaddeus and Iggy on the wings would be very imposing, two very talented defensive players, who could control the tempo of games with their athleticism and skill levels. Dalembert and Brand controlling the boards and the paint. Phily's offense was horrible last year because they lacked an extra scorer, an inside presence, outside shooting. Brand solves two of those problems well enough to vault them into contender status.
Who would be better with Brand - Phily or the Clippers?
Phily have a much easier road to the Finals. Elton Brand's acquisition alone likely gets them to the second round/conference finals. Clippers aren't even certain of a playoff spot. Clippers have better individual talent. Phily have a better collective talent in the sense you already know how all the pieces fit together and how well they work together. They're already a top rebounding and defensive squad. Clippers are relying on having no bench in place and two fresh youngsters on the wing whereas Phily is only relying on one unproven wing (whoever starts, hopefully Thaddeus) in an important role on their entire roster. If a few things pan out for the Clips they'd be better but there's more uncertainty there due to their larger amount of unproven talent and their tougher road to the playoffs.
Tough call. It's close. I'd go Phily but there's a lot of reasons to pick the Clips also.
What about Josh Smith and his impact in Phily?
He'd secure their spot in playoff mediocrity (perennial playoff team but not a contender) ..... but his skill set and fit in Phily would make them dangerous and capable of an upset come playoff time. Two shot blockers and defensive players of their caliber in the paint would be very interesting plus he's great in the open court and for the first time in his career he'd play on a team that allowed him to run.