The Philadelphia 76ers need to address the backup center position this summer.
Several factors contributed to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ heartbreaking second-round loss. Joel Embiid was sick, Tobias Harris struggled and the bench only went seven deep before imploding. One major weakness in the second unit, of course, was the center position.
The Sixers needed to manufacture minutes behind Embiid, but there weren’t any viable options to fill his gaps in playing time. Brett Brown used Greg Monroe and Boban Marjanovic at different points in the series, but both struggled immensely.
In addition to Boban and Monroe, the Sixers had Amir Johnson and Jonah Bolden riding the bench. There was plenty of depth at center, but none could contribute to winning basketball against the Raptors’ elite defense.
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Philadelphia rostered four limited, at times useless centers. With several buyout candidates and other free agents signing elsewhere during the season, Elton Brand finishing the campaign with four below-average reserves was a bummer, if not a flat-out mishandling.
The Sixers were never rumored to search the trade market for, say, DeWayne Dedmon. The Sixers didn’t make a serious push for more wings either, despite a glaring need for more perimeter talent. The Sixers invested in four centers who couldn’t contribute in the postseason.
Moving forward, Philadelphia needs to change that. Improving the center position isn’t a top priority, but it’s an important one nonetheless. In Game 7, Greg Monroe was a -9 in under two minutes. That’s unacceptable.
When addressing the need, Brand and the front office will have several options. Names like Dedmon and Kenneth Faried will hit the open market, while the 2019 NBA Draft boasts several intriguing prospects at the center position — some of which will be available in the early 30s.
The Sixers don’t need more center depth, though. Four was more than enough. Brand should bolster the roster on the perimeter, adding capable shooters and defenders on the wing. The Sixers just need one solid reserve behind Embiid.
Jonah Bolden is on contract next season and provides insurance, assuming some degree of natural improvement is achieved. The Sixers can also re-sign Boban for cheap, with his situational value still holding some merit. Otherwise, the Sixers just need one playable veteran behind Embiid.
Philadelphia shouldn’t enter next season with an abundance of centers. It needs to enter next season with a more useful group of centers. There’s a difference — quality over quantity. With so much size elsewhere on the roster — Ben Simmons, Mike Scott, etc. — there’s no need to use five spots on one-positions bigs.
Greg Monroe and Amir Johnson should be gone. Veteran experience aside, there’s no reason to have either on the roster. They aren’t good defenders, restrict the offense and lack versatility. Embiid, *insert mid-level free agent/draft pick*, Bolden and Boban should be it.