The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking Joel Embiid’s backups up to 2022

By Lucas Johnson

Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Richaun Holmes (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Richaun Holmes (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

8. Tony Bradley

Tony Bradley was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2020 offseason in a trade that sent Zhaire Smith to the Detroit Pistons. Bradley didn’t play many games for Philly before getting dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but when he did play, he showed true flashes of solid play. Entering this season, he will be fighting for backup center minutes another former Sixers backup Andre Drummond on the Chicago Bulls.

7. Paul Reed

Paul Reed is entering his third season with the 76ers and his first as Embiid’s primary backup. For most of his first two seasons, Philly’s head coach Doc Rivers had Reed ride the bench or play in the G-League. However, towards the end of last season, Rivers had no choice but to play Reed due to poor play from Jordan and Millsap. Reed played well and is now set to have a breakout season.

Read. Top 5 most memorable plays from 2021-2022 season. light

6. Richaun Holmes

One thing I can never forgive former head coach and interim general manager (GM) Brett Brown for doing was trading Richaun Holmes for cash in the 2018 offseason. Holmes was a second round pick of Philly in 2015 that showed real potential and since leaving the 76ers he has been a high-quality backup or starting center for the Phoenix Suns and currently the Sacramento Kings.

5. Nerlens Noel

When the Sixers traded Jrue Holiday in 2013, Nerlens Noel become the draft pick they received back in the deal. Noel was an elite defensive stopper during his 76ers tenure and his career as a whole. Noel has been a backup for most of his career since being traded away during Embiid’s first season playing in 2016.