A former Sixer could return to become a valuable asset in championship hunt
The Philadelphia 76ers might decide to spend big bucks in other position so they potential of acquiring Hartenstein becomes bleak. In that case, the Chicago Bulls upcoming free agent and former Sixer Andre Drummond might be the direction the team could go. The championship window is becoming narrower and narrower, and Drummond is what the Sixers need behind Embiid.
Drummond played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2021-22 season, and he was by far the best backup they had during Embiid's career. I did not understand fully why the team did not bring him back considering that he was signed to a deal worth around six million for two seasons in the summer of 2022. He set a career-high in REB% the last two seasons, and was one of the best offensive rebounders in the game this season, per NBA.com.
When he was in Philadelphia, Drummond was sent to Brooklyn mid-season as part of the James Harden deal. Being an NBA All-Star earlier in his career, Drummond is the perfect candidate for the backup center role registering just 10 starts in Chicago.
He might be in for a return in Philadelphia, with the 76ers having a potentially bigger role to offer him considering that Embiid will miss games. Drummond remains one of the best rebounders around the league registering an average of almost eight rebounds in less than 16 minutes through 146 games with the Bulls.