Sixers: 4 most exciting backup center options for 2021-22

Sixers’ 4 most exciting backup center options: Someone not currently on the roster

Okay, so this is a little bit disingenuous. The current list of options on the roster, though, is wildly uninspiring (with one exception, who we’ll get to).  Any of the litany of names here would be more compelling, due to a combination of novelty or positional versatility, than either Drummond or Simmons.

If the Sixers are really interested in adding a veteran presence at the position, DeMarcus Cousins would be an intriguing option. It is improbable that Cousins would accept a minimum contract — the only option available to the Sixers right now — because, if that were his price, a team would’ve signed him by now. Cousins, though, is a good fit for the actual roster on paper.

Though his defense is quite poor — Cousins has a tendency to guard with the effort of his pre-ACL tear All-Star self with the athleticism of his post-ACL tear self, which is an ugly combo — he offers at least some semblance of floor-stretching ability. Embiid and Cousins also seem to be friends, at least on the court (who could forget rookie Embiid and the former King engaging in some, ah, friendly jostling?), which makes him instantly a better fit than Drummond with the most important player on the team.

Paul Millsap is another older option. He too is likely holding out in search of a contract better than the veteran’s minimum, and at this stage in his career Millsap projects better as a stretch four than a five, so he most likely wouldn’t take an uncomfortable role in Philadelphia. Another former All-Star, though, Millsap still sporadically possesses the ability to shoot and defend, though his aging has not been graceful by NBA standards.

There are also two options currently on the Sixers roster that should be briefly mentioned here, before we get to the headliner. Georges Niang will definitely play meaningful rotation minutes this season, and is the best shooting big not named Joel Embiid the Sixers have had since… maybe buyout-era Ersan Ilyasova? But Niang is a four, not a five, so he’s not a candidate here. Center Charles Bassey could also possibly see time here, but given that he was drafted as a project and didn’t even play a minute in summer league due to a contract dispute, projecting him as anything more than a Justin Patton-esque 15th man would be too optimistic right now.

Which brings us to…