The Philadelphia 76ers finally play regular season basketball today, but unbeknownst to many, the front office made a very important decision just a couple of days ago, fully guaranteeing the contract of young big man Adem Bona for this season.
Bona, whom the 76es drafted last year in the second round, flashed some promising signs late last season when he was given more exposure in the hardwood thanks to the team suffering injuries after injuries. This season, he is expected to have a consistent role, especially if the team continues to take a conservative approach with Joel Embiid and if veteran center Andre Drummond continues to struggle.
Bona turned in nightly averages of 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks last season in just 15.6 minutes per game. Those are lofty numbers given his limited court time, and those figures stand to improve this season, especially since he is coming off a rather active offseason, having participated in the Eurobasket for Team Turkey as Alperen Sengun’s primary backup.
The 76ers will rely on Adem Bona on a consistent basis this season
Bona will be a useful utility big man for the 76ers, especially since he possesses a certain trait that none of the other big men on the roster have — high leaping ability. He is able to provide much-needed vertical spacing on offense, making him a potent lob threat and force above the rim thanks to his eye-popping athleticism.
That will be his main calling card, although the coaching staff will also gauge his exposure on the court on whether he can become more disciplined, especially on the defensive end. Bona struggled to stay on the floor last season due to his unrelenting tendency to get into foul trouble quickly. That has to change if he wants to secure a consistent role.
Nevertheless, Bona should easily turn out to be a reliable contributor for a 76ers team in dire need of what he can provide on both ends. He is a nice change of pace player from Embiid and Drummond, while also having more experience under his belt than rookie big man Johni Broome.
Hence, this decision should age pretty well. Even better, he will most likely not command a hefty price tag in order for the team to keep him. The writing is on the wall for him to become a huge bargain bin piece.
Hopefully, Adem Bona can break out this season. The 76ers have every reason to rely on him a lot, and it is now incumbent upon him to make the front office’s investment worthwhile.