The Philadelphia 76ers made a mistake with their reserve centers.
Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand doesn’t have the best track record. He’s made some questionable moves during his tenure and how he’s dealt with the center depth chart has been no exception.
To begin the season, Brand and the Sixers formulated a solid center depth chart. Joel Embiid was the starter, Al Horford would slide down from power forward to the center position as Embiid’s reserve, Kyle O’Quinn was the third center on the depth chart, and Norvel Pelle was the team’s emergency center who was on a two-way contract.
Too much depth
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However, things changed. Horford has become the team’s full-time backup center as his fit in the start five next to Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons wasn’t working. Head coach Brett Brown also favored Pelle over O’Quinn as the third center off the bench for most of the season.
It’ also became clear that based on Philly’s needs that Simmons and power forward Mike Scott were better options than Pelle and O’Quinn where at the center spot. Scott’s performance especially brings up the argument if he shouldn’t become the team’s full-time small-ball center.
Considering all those facts, the Sixers only need either Pelle or O’Quinn heading into the final stretch of the season and playoffs. Despite the fact Embiid was injured for the stretch of games before the season was postponed, the Sixers should have gotten rid of one the big men.
Either by not converting Pelle’s two-way contract or by trading/waiving O’Quinn (like I advocated for), this excessive depth at the center position could have been avoided. Despite the 76ers desperate need for more shooting, they could be stuck with this plethora of centers. This is a similar situation to what happened last season when Philly had Embiid, Boban Marjanovic, Greg Monroe, and Amir Johnson all on the roster for the playoffs.
Unless the NBA approves some sort of way to replace injured or sick players, which is being discussed, the Philadelphia 76ers will have way too much depth at the center position moving into the postseason.