The recent NBA champion gives Philadelphia another young, athletic option behind Joel Embiid.
New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) attempts a slam dunk against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena.
Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Posted
Wednesday,
July 1, 2026
10:56 am
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to terms with former New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti on a one-year deal worth $3.4 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Hukporti, 24, appeared in 79 games over two seasons with the Knicks. Last season, he averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds while serving as New York’s third center, providing energy, rim protection and rebounding off the bench.
Frontcourt depth has been one of Philadelphia’s biggest needs for several seasons, particularly during the minutes Joel Embiid is off the floor. Hukporti is unlikely to solve that issue on his own, but he gives the Sixers a young option that is more athletic than Andre Drummond and more size than Adem Bona.
Hukporti, a true seven-footer, has proven a bit raw at certain times on the court, but is an intriguing developmental prospect, offering a rare combination of size, mobility and athleticism.
The Sixers notably signed Hukporti for an amount worth more than the minimum, indicating that his $3.4 million salary will come out of the portion of the team’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception that remained after signing former Cavaliers forward Dean Wade.
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Keywords
Philadelphia 76ers,
Sixers,
Ariel Hukporti,
NBA Free Agency,
New York Knicks,
Joel Embiid,
Mike Gansey,
Dean Wade,
NBA,
Frontcourt,
Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception,
Eastern Conference