The 76ers Already Have a Problem at Center
With one of the NBA’s most skilled teams and championship hopes, the Philadelphia 76ers started the 2026–27 preseason. But even before the regular season starts, Philadelphia faces a major obstacle that could hinder its title chances.
Scoring, star power, and offensive chemistry aren’t the issues. It has to do with depth in the middle.
Ariel Hukporti, a recently acquired center, tore his right Achilles tendon during Monday’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks, ending his season before it really got underway.
The 24-year-old underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, depriving Philadelphia of one of Joel Embiid’s expected backup options.
The Sixers now have major concerns about their frontcourt rotation because Adem Bona is also recuperating from a foot injury.
Philadelphia cannot afford to ignore this as a squad built to contend for an NBA title.
Ariel Hukporti’s Injury Changes Everything
In the offseason, Philadelphia signed Hukporti to a $3.4 million, one-year contract, adding a young center with size, rebounding, and inside defense. Hukporti played in 79 regular-season games during his first two NBA seasons with the Knicks, helping them win the 2025–26 title.
Although he wasn’t expected to play a significant role on offense, his presence was especially valuable because he provided another conventional center who could play minutes behind Embiid. Sadly, that chance vanished within minutes of his first preseason game in Philadelphia.
Hukporti’s injury is more than just losing a backup player. It puts more pressure on the team’s remaining big men and removes a key piece of their frontcourt depth. Now, the Sixers have to figure out how to replace those minutes without sacrificing roster flexibility.
Joel Embiid Cannot Carry the Entire Frontcourt
Joel Embiid’s significance to Philadelphia is undeniable. The former NBA MVP remains one of the league’s most influential centers when healthy. He is essential to the Sixers’ championship chances because he can score, grab rebounds, and play defense.
But given Embiid’s injury history, solid depth behind him is crucial. With the ultimate goal of keeping its franchise center healthy for the playoffs, Philadelphia cannot realistically expect him to carry an excessive workload during an 82-game regular season.
The team must carefully strike a balance between preserving Embiid’s long-term availability and winning games. That duty becomes much harder without Hukporti.
Head coach Nick Nurse could control Embiid’s minutes without sacrificing too much interior defense or rebounding if he had a dependable backup center. Without that assurance, Philadelphia might have to try out new lineups sooner rather than later. Although the Sixers have built an outstanding group of offensive players, protecting their most crucial big man must remain a top concern.
Adem Bona Faces an Important Opportunity
Adem Bona is one player who might profit from Philadelphia’s sudden lack of depth. Entering his third NBA season, the 23-year-old center has already shown that he has what it takes to be an athletic defender and a dynamic presence around the hoop.
For much of last season, Bona was Philadelphia’s primary backup center, giving him invaluable experience in Nick Nurse’s system. Bona, however, is still recuperating from a foot sprain he sustained while competing internationally.
Bona has returned to on-court activities, but Wednesday’s injury updates indicate he is not expected to play in Philadelphia’s next two preseason games. His return could provide much-needed security. Bona is a logical choice to take on a bigger role because of his athleticism and shot-blocking ability. However, he still needs to work on his offensive shortcomings and foul-committing tendencies.
Bona must develop into more than just a dynamic reserve for Philadelphia. The youthful center gets a chance to prove himself as a reliable member of a squad expected to win a title because Hukporti is out. One of the most significant aspects of the Sixers’ season may be whether he can reliably handle that duty.
Nick Nurse May Have to Get Creative
Philadelphia’s roster adaptability is one of its advantages. Nurse has several players who can play center in smaller lineups, despite the lack of traditional centers. Depending on availability and matchups, Dominick Barlow, Dean Wade, Jabari Walker, and even LeBron James could fill in.
But each choice comes with its own set of challenges. Barlow is dynamic and adaptable, although he is now battling a back problem. Walker contributes physicality and rebounding, while Wade offers more shooting and positional flexibility. Although James has the strength, basketball acumen, and experience to play in smaller frontcourt combinations, frequently defending rival centers would put more physical strain on the 41-year-old.
Small-ball lineups could be a useful situational tactic, especially if Philadelphia wants to improve its attacking adaptability. But if the Sixers rely too much on these combinations, they may be vulnerable to opponents with size and interior scoring. To maximize Philadelphia’s scoring potential and maintain a solid defensive presence around the basket, Nurse must strike a balance.
Should Philadelphia Explore Another Center?
The Sixers’ front office may eventually need to consider bringing in another conventional center. But doing so is harder than signing an available free agent. Because of the NBA’s first-apron hard cap, Philadelphia can’t increase salaries without corresponding roster changes.
The organization also has an open two-way contract slot, which might offer another avenue to add frontcourt depth. However, a two-way deal would not necessarily solve the challenge of finding a reliable center for a title contender. For now, Philadelphia may need to rely on Bona’s recovery, its current roster, and Nurse’s ability to create efficient rotations.
Instead of assuming the current group will be enough for the season, the front office should keep considering possible additions. Talented starting lineups aren’t enough for championship contenders. They need dependable athletes who can fill key positions if an injury occurs. That fact has already been brought home to Philadelphia, sadly.
A Problem the Sixers Cannot Ignore
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers have many reasons to be hopeful. The team has incredible talent, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and VJ Edgecombe. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee a championship.
Before the regular season even begins, Hukporti’s season-ending injury has exposed a serious flaw in Philadelphia’s roster. The Sixers need to be ready for more injuries or prolonged absences, but Bona’s recovery might help with the current issue.
Keeping depth at one of basketball’s most physically taxing positions is crucial for a team hoping to win a championship. To compete with the top teams in the NBA, Philadelphia built a roster throughout the offseason.
The Sixers now need to ensure that no overlooked flaw undermines what they’ve built.
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