PHILADELPHIA — Elton Brand believed his career would end as an L.A. Story.

Forced by a contract ultimatum he would not accept, the two-time NBA All-Star instead opted to take his production east to Philadelphia.

Brand and the 76ers made it official yesterday on a five-year deal worth a reported $82 million, a shrewd move that promptly turned the emerging franchise into Eastern Conference contenders.

"I'm prepared to do some big things this year," Brand said.

Last week, Brand opted out of his contract with the Clippers, but Los Angeles was expected to make a strong push to re-sign him. Instead, he spurned the Clippers once agent David Falk said he was offered a "take it or leave it" contract on June 30. The deal was nearly $20 million less than what Brand signed for in Philadelphia.

"My intention was to try and work something out with the Clippers," Brand said.

Falk said the greater insult came when he was told that Clippers owner Donald Sterling said he would be happy with the 29-year-old Brand's decision either way.

Messages seeking comment left with the Clippers were not immediately returned.

The 76ers were $11 million under the salary cap, but even that wasn't enough to land a franchise-shifting free agent like Brand. Philadelphia was able to swing a deal that sent forward Rodney Carney and a future No. 1 pick to Minnesota as part of a trade that cleared an additional $2 million in salary cap space.

The trade allowed the Sixers to offer a starting salary in the $14 million range. Brand had $16.4 million left on deal he signed in 2003.