9 People who turned their backs on the LA Clippers

Elton Brand

At least Tucker is being transparent. By contrast, Elton Brand engaged in some outright subterfuge when he left the Clippers in 2008.

Initially, Brand looked like a company man. He opted out of the final year of his contract so that the team could improve their roster. It worked. The Clippers used their newfound cap space to bring in Baron Davis. Surely, that would keep Brand in town?

Wrong. Brand would swiftly sign a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers were left high and dry. It seems likely that Brand had some issues with the team's ownership. Don't worry - we'll be touching on that later.

Any trepidation Brand felt towards then-owner Donald Sterling was more than justifiable. He didn't have to mislead the team. The Clippers may have opted against signing Davis if they knew Brand was leaving. Of course, he wasn't the first star player to leave the Clippers.