While the Philadelphia 76ers are preoccupied with conducting their due diligence ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, which is now less than a couple of weeks away, the first move in free agency has already transpired.
As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Rockets have agreed with veteran big man Steven Adams on a three-year deal amounting to $39 million. This move ensures that Adams, a key contributor for them in the playoffs, stays with a Houston franchise looking to continue its rise in the Western Conference.
Adams was undoubtedly one of the best centers in the open market, especially for the 76ers. But given this development, Philly will have to look elsewhere to solidify their center rotation behind the oft-injured Joel Embiid.
Fulfilling that, however, has become much more difficult than expected, as this move signifies.
The 76ers will have a tough time finding a viable backup for and part-time starter in lieu of Joel Embiid
Adams’ deal was reasonably priced, but it reveals one key fact — that the 76ers were never going to be able to afford him in the first place.
With a heavy cloud casted on Embiid’s availability next season after a campaign where he saw the hardwood in just 19 games, there is not a lot of optimism from the outside with respect to him being a nightly sight for 76ers fans.
Hence, finding a viable backup who can also seamlessly slip into the starting lineup when need be is essential. Philadelphia thought it would be able to clinch that with Andre Drummond, but that certainly did not pan out at all.
Unfortunately, given their financial situation, it would be extremely difficult for the 76ers to find a starting-caliber big man to ease the load on Embiid. They will have to bank on in-house solutions, such as Adem Bona, to make a leap next season and fill the superstar’s massive void when he is sidelined with injury or is resting on the bench.
Alternatively, Philly can strike a deal for more reinforcements in the frontcourt, which is rapidly becoming an imperative given that Guerschon Yabusele has also become a bona fide flight risk in free agency.
The center position could very well make or break the Philadelphia 76ers next season, especially with Joel Embiid being far from a reliable presence from an availabilit standpoint. This is the ugly reality for the franchise, and making things tougher is the fact that a stopgap solution seems to remain elusive, even at this juncture.