5 centers free agent options: Hassan Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside was once of the better defensive centers in the NBA with his shot blocking and rebounding. However, due to an inconsistent motor and overall not great defensive I.Q., he’s been a backup center for the past two seasons.
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Last season with the Sacramento Kings, the 32-year-old big man averaged 8.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Prior to last season when he was a full-time backup center, he led the NBA in blocks per game two in the past five seasons.
At a solid 7-feet tall, Whiteside could come in for Embiid as a high-energy backup off the bench and provide defense and rim running on offense. He can start if the need arises but outside of Fall, is probably the second worst center on this list to turn to for starter minutes.
That being written, he’s still a solid backup center at this point in his career. He can probably be signed to the veteran’s minimum contract as well and for a player that still has his level of skill, that would be a steal for the 76ers.
There are some quality backup centers on the market for the Philadelphia 76ers, the trouble becomes convincing one of them to become a backup for Embiid and play limited minutes.