Sixers GM Elton Brand hedges on Brett Brown’s coaching future

The Philadelphia 76ers came into the season with NBA Finals ambitions, but have lost four straight and sit sixth in the Eastern Conference a day after the trade deadline.

That has increased pressure on head coach Brett Brown. General manager Elton Brand did little to alleviate that pressure on Friday, giving Brown a vote of confidence but refusing to explicitly commit to the head coach for the remainder of the season.

76ers GM Elton Brand: "Brett Brown's our coach & I believe in him to lead this team." When asked if Brett is the coach for the rest of the season, Brand hedged a bit. Wouldn't commit or get into hypotheticals. "He's our coach & I'm supporting Brett Brown. He's our leader."

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 7, 2020

Brown is in his seventh year as the Sixers’ head coach, and while the team is good, the perception is they’re not as good as they should be. There were rumors that he might lose his job after the team’s playoff exit last year, so the speculation isn’t new. There seems to be a greater sense of urgency about it this time, however, especially with Brand declining to make any big promises about Brown’s status going forward.