It wasn't too long ago the Philadelphia 76ers were not that close to approaching .500 in a weak Eastern Conference. Last year, they showed they have the talent and discipline to provide a tough test for anyone in the East. Along with Atlanta, they were expected to enter next season as a growing team that would improve again.

Then they found a way to add Elton Brand.

Assuming he stays healthy, the addition of Brand has most experts locking the Sixers into the playoffs and putting them in contention for a top seed in the conference (though no one doubts they are still at least a step behind the Celtics).

In addition to Brand, the Sixers added some versatility and depth with their free agent signings. They now have some great talent, and the question of how well their players will integrate and if they can still push the ball up court is one of only a few remaining.

Players Added In Draft: B+

Marreese Speights
Philadelphia got a good value pick with the sixteenth selection in big man Speights. He needs a little time to fully develop, but Speights has the physical attributes it will take to succeed in the NBA. He looks like he could be the real deal as an offensive threat in the post as well as a shot-blocker on defense for the Sixers.

Players Added Via Free Agency: A
Elton Brand
While he won't make the difference Kevin Garnett made when he joined the Celtics last year, Brand will have a huge impact on the Sixers. As legitimate big men are increasingly hard to find, the 76ers found a way to land a huge name this summer, and ending up with Brand makes them the big winner of the off-season.

Kareem Rush
Another addition to their backcourt, Rush will provide the Sixers with a perimeter scoring threat. As a shooter, Rush gives a big boost to the team that came in last in three-point shooting.

Royal Ivey
An underrated role player at guard on the Milwaukee Bucks last season, Ivey is a good pickup for the Sixers. He can play intense defense in the spurts of playing time he will see backing up Philadelphia's guards.

Louis Williams (Re-Signed)
Another key piece for the Sixers as they look to maintain their up-tempo style while integrating Brand into the mix, Williams blossomed last season alongside Andre Miller. The Sixers will, at times, have to rely on Williams to produce offensively as he did for them last season.

Trade Activity: A
Traded Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth and a future number one pick to Minnesota

A good deal for the Sixers because it worked. They were able to get more salary cap room (the Timberwolves' $2.8 million trade exception, to be more specific) to make a run at Elton Brand. While Booth played a small role on the Sixers last year, the loss of Carney and a future top pick were not negligible. Still, starting the season with Brand has to be worth it. Now, Philly fans just have to hope he stays healthy.

Business Still To Be Done
Shouldn't Andre Iguodola's five-year, $72.6 million extension be done by now? Philadelphia has been negotiating with him all summer, so there is still hope the deal will be completed - in all likelihood the extension will be done before the start of the season. Having Luol Deng and Monta Ellis' contracts to compare possible deals to probably isn't helping.

Overall Grade: A