INTERESTING news out of Minnesota this afternoon, as the Timberwolves announced the sudden departure of Gersson Rosas, the franchise’s president of basketball operations.

Rosas was hired by the Timberwolves in May of 2019. EVP of Basketball Operations Sachin Gupta will reportedly be promoted to the role of interim head of basketball operations.

Adding to the intrigue is this nugget from Jake L. Fischer, an NBA reporter for Bleacher Report, as to who the Timberwolves are fond of to replace Rosas as the permanent president. Take this with a grain of salt because I’ve never heard of Jake L. Fischer in my life, but since this could be beneficial for the 76ers I’ll hold his word as absolute bond.

OH MY. Now look, I like Brand, seems like a nice enough guy and someone who is more than capable of running an NBA franchise. I’d like him a lot better, however, if he’d be willing take Ben Simmons on in a trade and give up some of the young, useful pieces the Timberwolves were reportedly hesitant to part with in any potential deal for the Sixers point guard.

Rosas reportedly was interested in Simmons but did not want to include any part of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards or D’Angelo Russell in any deals. Towns likely wouldn’t work here playing alongside Embiid, but Edwards? Gimme! Throw in Russell and Edwards, maybe a few picks from either team, and now you’ve got a stew going.

Brand’s a smart guy, he knows Simmons needs a fresh start with another team. He would know the inner workings of the 76ers better than anyone else in the league and would know exactly what they’re looking for, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get a deal done! I wouldn’t mind seeing Simmons posting pictures of his latest $50,000 Gucci parka to his IG account in the dead of a Minnesota winter, and I certainly wouldn’t mind watching Edwards develop in a Sixers uniform.

Just remember, Brand, what franchise gave you a leg up in your front office career and return the favor at a later date. Give him the Vito Corleone treatment on the way to the airport.

“Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.”

Never turn against the family, Brand.