The 2023-24 Philadelphia 76ers had many ups and downs, especially after Joel Embiid went down with a knee injury in January. The MVP required surgery to repair a meniscus tear and was unable to play until the waning moments of the regular season, resulting in the team's demotion from their former peak position in the East.
After an early first-round playoff exit, the 76ers will have to look at the possibility of bringing in a player that can cover for the 2023 MVP when there's a need to sit him. There is not expected to be a wide variety of centers in the market that could be potential candidates for the backup center spot in a title contender.
Count on the 76ers to aggressively tap into the big man market in free agency
The 76ers' primary offseason objective is to acquire a third superstar to play alongside Embiid and Maxey. However, building a strong bench also should be a priority for them considering that the team's second unit struggled in the postseason. Bringing in a player that could compliment your injury-prone superstar center must be a priority.
When they picked Embiid in the 2013 NBA Draft, Philadelphia knew the risks that were involved in building around him. The Cameroonian center missed the first two seasons of his career due to injury, and he struggled to remain healthy for a full season throughout the years.
In any case, his unprecedented talent put those concerns at rest, but the front office needs to bring a top-notch backup to help their superstar center remain healthy.