The Philadelphia 76ers rolled out a surprising lineup to conclude the 2025 NBA preseason. With Joel Embiid back on the court, head coach Nick Nurse complemented the two-time scoring champion with a quartet of Adem Bona, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Most of the starters were to be expected, but Bona's inclusion in a two-big lineup alongside Embiid has opened the door to fascinating possibilities.
The obvious context is that Bona is unlikely to start once Paul George is back at 100 percent and returns to the 4 spot. Once that transpires, Philadelphia will likely roll out a lineup of Edgecombe, Embiid, George, Maxey, and either Quentin Grimes or Oubre at the 3.
Substitution patterns will be established early and experimented with as the season progresses, however, and pairing Bona with Embiid could be a situationally brilliant tactic.
Bona already excels as an offensive rebounder and shot blocker who can provide significant interior value alongside Embiid. The two-time MVP certainly adds quality in both areas, but it's worth noting that he hasn't necessarily been amongst the NBA's elite in either category over the past five seasons.
That likely has much to do with the perimeter responsibilities that Embiid shoulders on either end of the floor, thus making Bona an ideal complement along the interior.
Adem Bona starting alongside Joel Embiid opens unique door for 76ers
Embiid's physical dominance is unavoidable. He ranks No. 1 in NBA history in free throws made per game for an obvious reason, as his 7'0" and 280-pound frame meshes with his fluid athleticism and immeasurable skill to constantly keep defenders on their heels.
Embiid is asked to do more than almost any big man in the NBA, however, and that makes the presence of an interior teammate who can do the dirty work for him an invaluable luxury.
Embiid has averaged 2.5 offensive rebounds and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes over the past five seasons. Those are by no means bad numbers, but Bona showed immediate quality in both areas by averaging 3.7 offensive boards and 2.7 blocks per 36 minutes as a rookie.
That offers early insight into exactly how Bona can make the game easier for Embiid, whose production is more than admirable but whose burden is already heavy.
With Bona on the court, the 76ers would have a player who specializes in the phases of the game that Embiid perhaps shouldn't be asked to so consistently anchor. His effort won't be questioned, but forcing him into the position where he must lead the team in scoring while still anchoring the defense and creating second chances is unrealistic.
Even if injuries weren't a concern with the 31-year-old Embiid, there's only so much a player can be realistically expected to do on a nightly basis.
With Bona handed a specific role, however, the 76ers can lighten the workload in two of the more physically taxing phases of the game. Bona can be the one who embraces physicality, creating second chances and meeting players at the rim as the last line of defense.
The roles certainly wouldn't be absolute in their nature, but Bona can help create a more streamlined focus for Embiid in what will hopefully be his first healthy season since 2022-23.