The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing a risky game with the big man position from the jump. While the front office did its best to find the proper system behind Joel Embiid by hoping for a solid combo with Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti, the latter's season-ending injury put the Sixers in a tough spot.
Bona is the only true big man behind Embiid. Nick Nurse has been quite open to testing out LeBron James, Dean Wade, and Jabari Walker at the five when he feels it's necessary. But they can't go small every time. They also can't rely on having Joel Embiid available for the majority of the season.
There is a lot on Adem Bona's back, and Wednesday's action against the Detroit Pistons served the Sixers' front office another necessary reminder: this depth is not sustainable.
Adem Bona has an injury scare
After checking in for 15 minutes, Bona left for the locker room during the second half. He was hit in the head with an elbow. After the game, Nick Nurse told reporters that Bona was dealing with a neck injury. While the veteran center "looks to be OK," in Nurse's eyes, a true minor diagnosis will reveal itself the following day.
No matter what it is for Bona, the 76ers were hit with another warning shot they can't help but feel. Consider making that move much sooner rather than later.
A depth reminder
Joel Embiid is the starter, but is already dealing with a foot-related issue that had him on the injury report three times for two absences this season. Missing games for him is inevitable, whether he's healthy or not.
This neck issue for Bona will be his second setback of the season if he misses any time going forward. Jabari Walker just returned to action for the 76ers after missing a few games with a knee injury.
LeBron James admitted that he's not a sustainable option for playing at the five for a while. Dean Wade, who also had a setback at the start of the year, is in the same boat as Bron. And Nick Nurse might've forgotten about Tacko Fall (or so it seems), but we didn't. The two-way signee also spent time on the injury report since the preseason.
Bona's injury, mixed with the DNP for Walker on Wednesday, likely popped the cap off of an Embiid minutes restriction. On Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, Embiid played in just 24 minutes. He came off the court around that mark in Detroit, and only returned when Bona's night concluded. The star center finished with 33 minutes played. The Sixers were fortunate to see an Embiid double-double (26 PTS, 15 REB), and he made it out healthy, but again, risky game.
Options are limited at the moment, for sure. The Sixers can't sign anyone to a standard contract right now without a follow-up move, but it's not impossible. Trades can happen. Plus, there are other two-way options out there. Bona's early exit doesn't seem to require a push of the panic button, but the warning signs continue to pop up.
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