The 76ers are getting ready for the 2026-27 NBA season, just days away from their preseason opener against the New York Knicks on Monday.

While, of course, the games do not count, there is one player who has an opportunity to play in preseason and potentially earn the backup center position for the regular season: Ariel Hukporti.

Hukporti was recently signed in free agency from the Knicks and is expected to play quite a bit in preseason due to injuries to Adem Bona. The Sixers lack depth at the backup center position, with just Hukporti and Tacko Fall, making this the perfect opportunity for Hukporti to establish himself in that role.

Hukporti averaged two points, 2.5 rebounds per game, and 0.5 assists throughout his two-year career. He averaged 8.95 minutes played throughout his career, and Hukporti is looking to finally crack an NBA rotation.

Joel Embiid likely will not play too much in preseason to keep him healthy for the regular season, so Hukporti will have his opportunities. Bona will also likely return before preseason comes to an end, but Hukporti could impress Sixers head coach Nick Nurse enough to name him the primary backup to Embiid.

Bona and Fall are obviously both going to face adversity here. Bona could lose his spot as the backup center and potentially fall out of the Sixers’ rotation, and not get the preseason reps he needs even if he still is the backup. Bona averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists last season, splitting backup duties with Andre Drummond. He is better known for being a dominant shot blocker and defensive big.

As for Fall, it is highly expected that he will not make the Sixers’ opening-night roster, and being hurt for some time will make his chances even slimmer without those preseason reps. The good news for Fall is that his size does give him a chance to earn the last roster spot because he can clog the paint for opposing teams.

The Sixers are allowed to keep 18 on the roster, with three of the 18 having to be on two-way contracts, meaning they would be a part of the Sixers ‘ G League team for the most part.

Bona is the most likely candidate to be the first off the bench for Embiid, not only because of his shot-blocking ability, but he also has more experience than Hukporti, which makes him the better fit unless Hukporti really impresses in the preseason.

When the 76ers had a miserable 2024-25 season, Bona started many games. Hukporti does have the size advantage over Bona, though, so the spot is not at all safe, and this preseason will likely be the deciding factor.

Braydin Adams

Braydin is a young, passionate sportswriter looking to build a highly successful career in Journalism. Alongside Philly Sports Reports, he contributes to LebcoSports.com, where he covered the Northern Lebanon Baseball District 3 championship and covers other sports and writes on local athletes. Adams also contributes to lwoSports.com. Braydin is a dedicated young writer hoping to be a professional beat writer one day.

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