The New York Knicks just scooped up two of the most intriguing center options left on the free agent market. James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks both signed training camp deals with New York, leaving the Philadelphia 76ers with very few options to help shore up their relatively poor center depth behind Joel Embiid. It may force them into a Mason Plumlee decision.
Plumlee didn't play a ton of minutes last year. He was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who waived him. He then signed with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he finished the season. At this point in his career, Plumlee is already 36 years old and has 13 years of NBA experience, but the Knicks took most of the better options left on the free-agent board.
So, if the Sixers actually want to fix their center depth before the season begins, they may be forced to sign a veteran like Plumlee.
Knicks' latest moves could make 76ers consider Mason Plumlee
Plumlee wouldn't be a terrible option. He didn't play a ton of minutes for the Spurs last season, but when he was on the court, he was okay. And the year before that, he was playing real minutes in the NBA.
The year before last, Plumlee was playing over 17 minutes a night for the Phoenix Suns. And before that, he was playing nearly 15 minutes a night for the LA Clippers.
Obviously, we are a couple of years removed from that version of Plumlee, but in an ideal world, the Sixers don't necessarily need him to be playing a ton of minutes at all.
Realistically speaking, the Sixers just need another body at the big man position. And ideally, they should get somebody with plenty of NBA experience so they can help their young players develop.
Philly currently has Ariel Hukporti and Adem Bona as its primary backup center options behind Embiid. Adding a guy like Plumlee would give those two players a mentor to learn from throughout the season.
So, again, Plumlee wouldn't actually be playing a ton of minutes for the 76ers. He would just be a role model for the other big men to learn from as they soak up most of the minutes behind Embiid.
With guys like Wiseman and Eubanks off the table, it may be worthwhile for the Sixers to turn to the veteran market. That's the situation the Knicks put them in, and it could actually be what's best for Philadelphia.
It may take some moving around, but bringing in a guy like Plumlee could be worth it.
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