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Sixers Rumors: Elton Brand Linked to Timberwolves' Front Office Search

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a notable move on Wednesday afternoon. With the start of training camp just a week away, the Timberwolves decided to part ways

Justin Grasso

Sixers Rumors: Elton Brand Linked to Timberwolves' Front Office Search
Sixers Rumors: Elton Brand Linked to Timberwolves' Front Office Search /

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a notable move on Wednesday afternoon. With the start of training camp just a week away, the Timberwolves decided to part ways with President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Rosas, who joined the Timberwolves back in 2019 following the Tom Thibodeau era, has been talking shop with the Sixers as of late. 

Considering Rosas worked closely with 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey when he was with the Houston Rockets, the two have reportedly discussed a potential deal involving Ben Simmons.

However, trade talks didn't get very far as the Timberwolves weren't willing to make an offer that meets Morey's high asking price. 

It's unclear what drove the Timberwolves away from Rosas at this point, but his departure could not only impact trade talks between the Sixers and the T'Wolves moving forward, but it could also lead to Minnesota making a hire from the Sixers' front office.

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, one name that has been floated around as a potential replacement for Rosas is Sixers' General Manager Elton Brand. 

The former player-turned-front office executive started his post-basketball career as a player development consultant with the Sixers in 2016. Eventually, Brand became the General Manager of the Sixers' G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, before being named Bryan Colangelo's replacement as the Sixers' GM in 2018.

While Brand doesn't have the power of final decision in Philly, he has been a critical member of the Sixers' front office over the last few years. And since Morey's running the show these days, Brand could soon find himself in a more prominent role with another team. It seems the Timberwolves might consider giving Brand a look.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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