4 backup center options Sixers should look into before trade deadline
The Feb. 9 trade deadline is right around the corner in the NBA and now is the time for every team in the league to figure out how they want to handle the deadline and how they are going to move forward with their plans for the 2022-23 season.
The Philadelphia 76ers have their eyes set on a title led by their star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden. Their starting lineup is one of the best in the league and they have some really good role players in the supporting cast in order to seriously compete in the Eastern Conference.
However, that pesky backup center spot continues to be an issue. Montrezl Harrell has been great offensively and not so great defensively and it’s obvious that Paul Reed hasn’t earned the trust of the coaching staff in order to make an impact on the floor.
Therefore, they should probably make a move at the deadline. Here are four options who make sense for the Sixers:
Serge Ibaka
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Ibaka and the Bucks didn’t work out the way either side had hoped and the Sixers might be able to get him for cheap. He isn’t a center in the truest sense of the word, but in today’s NBA, positions aren’t exactly important anymore. What Ibaka can do is shoot the 3-ball and he protects the rim. He would fix a lot of issues off the bench.
Richaun Holmes
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Holmes has fallen out of favor in Sacramento and his ability to catch lobs and block shots would be a nice addition to Philadelphia. It’s already known that the Kings are interested in Matisse Thybulle so maybe something can work out there in order to get Holmes back to Philadelphia.
Andre Drummond
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Drummond has made it known that he was blindsided by the trade when the Sixers sent him to the Brooklyn Nets. It looks like he is available in a deal by the Bulls and considering his ability to rebound the basketball at an elite level while catching lobs, he would be a great pick-and-roll partner for Harden on the offensive end. He’s the best backup big the Sixers have had during the Embiid era so it would make sense to bring him back if possible.
Nerlens Noel
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There isn’t much reason for Noel to still be in Detroit at the moment. The Pistons are focused on young big men Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart so Noel is available in a deal. The Sixers badly need somebody who can block shots, catch lobs off the pick-and-roll, and produce on both ends of the floor. That is what Noel brings to the table.
