The 76ers exploring LeBron at the center position underscores their desperate need for depth and versatility. It is a bold strategic experiment that could change how opponents defend Philadelphia's unique frontcourt rotation.
PERFORMANCENBA
Could LeBron James help solve the 76ers' depth problem at center? Here's what the numbers say
LeBron at the 5? The 76ers might need to try it after their backup center was hurt in their preseason opener The Philadelphia 76ers have a center depth problem. Ariel Hukporti, the free agent they signed this offseason to serve as Joel Embiid's primary backup, tore his Achilles in the preseason opener this week and will now miss the 2026-27 season. Adem Bona remains, and Dominick Barlow, typically a power forward, could also slide up to center, but remember, we're dealing with an Embiid team here. When your starting center has played 96 games in the past three seasons, you need to be prepared to spend substantial time without him, and as promising as the Bona-Barlow pair looked at points last season, they probably won't be enough on their own should Embiid suffer any notable injuries. Conveniently, the 76ers accidentally addressed this problem in late July, when they signed the most versatile player in NBA history for the minimum. There are few more useful gap-fillers in basketball than LeBron James. "The luxury of my game is that I can do everything," James said at media day. "Literally, I can do everything." 76ers head coach Nick Nurse seemed to agree with that statement, listing James as an option to play some backup center now that Hukporti is out. "I think LeBron is another candidate. I think he's played some small-ball five as well," Nurse said.
By Sam QuinnOctober 8, 2026CBS Sports
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