Philadelphia 76ers to Trade Booth, Carney to Make Run at Elton Brand

By trading away Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth, the 76ers could make a run at Elton Brand. (AP Images)"]

It seems like the Philadelphia 76ers want to compete. Now.

In moves that are making waves throughout the NBA, Philly has apparently set up two cap-relief trades - shedding the contracts of C Calvin Booth and G/F Rodney Carney - to make space for impending free agent Elton Brand. From ESPN.com's Mark Stein:

"Multiple front-office sources said late Monday that the Sixers are closing in on a deal with the Timberwolves in which the Wolves would absorb the contracts of both Carney and Booth by using the $2.8 million remaining from a trade exception created by Minnesota's trade of Mark Blount to Miami last October and a separate minimum player exception. It was not immediately known what financial and/or draft considerations might be included in the trade from either side."

The Sixers already have approximately $11 million in cap space available to make a run at Brand. The team has been without a dominant post presence for some time - most recently, the team traded for Chris Webber in an attempt to shore up the frontcourt. That plan failed miserably.

Think these moves will put the 76ers over the top? If so, head on over to the Bodog Sportsbook today for all your NBA basketball futures - get 'em while they're hot!