The Philadelphia 76ers could perhaps expect more participation from Joel Embiid next season thanks to his healthier stylings this time around, but the team will be best served reducing his load as much as practicable. That means that the coaching staff will have to be more creative in minting a new rotation in training camp.
As a result, cementing their backup plan for Embiid should be one of their biggest priorities during the preseason. The 76ers have ample options this season, starting from veteran center Andre Drummond, incoming sophomore Adem Bona, rookie big man Johni Broome, and other newcomers in Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker.
Figuring out which of those players should get the primary duty of spelling Embiid off the bench, however, could be trickier than expected. All of those players have strengths specific to them, and they could all be deployed under varying circumstances. Still, it is important for the coaching staff to have a go-to option off the bench.
Among those players, Drummond has the most mileage and experience. However, he took a step back last season, largely due to injury. Fortunately, his toe is now fully healed, but there is another thing going for him ahead of the preseason.
Nick Nurse delivers good news about 76ers big man Andre Drummond
During Media Day, head coach Nick Nurse revealed that Drummond is at least 20 pounds lighter than last season.
On the surface, that does not seem to amount to a lot given that Drummond is way past his prime and has shown legitimate signs of decline last season due to his below-average finishing above the rim and his utter dearth of rim protection. However, losing weight will be very advantageous for him on both ends of the floor.
Drummond was not a good roll partner last season, but with less baggage in him, he should be able to navigate better in the half court while also having more mobility to deter shots inside. Coupled with his elite rebounding, there is a strong likelihood that he bounces back in a big way this season.
Even if Bona or Broome usurps him in the rotation, Embiid will most probably miss a considerable number of games even whe he is relatively healthy, so having a functional Drummond would be vital.
Hopefully, this unprecedented transformation turns out to be an impetus for the veteran big man to prove that his second go-round in Philly can still be salvaged after a stale first try.