Elton Brand unsure of playing 17th season: 'Haven't gotten the phone call'

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Elton Brand is sitting by the phone, NBA teams.

Considering he's 36 years old, it's probably a flip phone with no emojis, but he's sitting by the phone nonetheless.

The 16-year veteran remains uncertain about doing a 17th tour of duty in the league and said this week that he's not sure what 2015-16 will hold for him, according to The Journal News.

"So far, I haven't gotten the phone call," Brand said at his youth basketball clinic. "We'll see what happens."

Brand's offseason played out in much the same way last summer. While he was more forthright about his desire to play a year ago, he didn't sign until Sept. 10, catching on with the Atlanta Hawks as one of the last veterans to come off the market.

The Hawks used Brand sparingly, dusting him off for 36 appearances and a career-low 13.5 minutes per game. Brand still showed the ability to protect the rim, turning away 4.3 percent of opponent 2-point field goals when he was on the court, but his rebounding rate took a precipitous drop and he shot a career-worst 44.2 percent from the floor.

The decline in production is entirely understandable for an undersized center on his last legs, and all indications are that he remains an affable locker room presence and leader.

Brand said in late May he was in no rush to make a decision on his future, and the ball may be in the court of any teams looking for a de facto player-coach at the end of their roster.

Should Brand's career be at its end, the former No. 1 pick will boast averages of 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 1,041 games for five teams. The two-time All-Star and 2000 Co-Rookie of the Year ranks in the league's top 100 in games, minutes, rebounds, blocks, fouls, and points.