Elton Brand will join a cast of Sixers that includes the likes of Thaddeus Young and Sammy Dalembert (Brian Bahr, Getty Images).

The Sixers have proved that maybe letting Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith leave town without a contract wasn’t such a bad idea. Ed Stefanski has worked his magic and won a bigger sweepstakes; the Elton Brand sweepstakes. ESPN.com is reporting that Brand has agreed to a five-year, $82 million deal with the Sixers, snubbing the Los Angeles Clippers who recently acquired Baron Davis. In late June Aaron speculated that Brand could be a great fit here in Philadelphia and now that will become reality.

The deal is verbal at this point, but ESPN says that NBA offices have informed them of the possible transaction. The signing is also contingent on a pending Sixers deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that sends a first round pick, forward Rodney Carney, center Calvin Booth to Minnesota in exchange for a future second round pick.  The move frees up about $3 million to ensure the signing Brand this year.

Brand is a phenomenal answer to the Sixers problems at the power forward position. The Duke alumn averaged over 17 points per game last year and eight rebounds. He saw limited action last season playing only eight games after missing time with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.