Sooner than later, the Philadelphia 76ers will realize — if they have not yet — that it is simply no longer viable to trot out a center rotation that depends exclusively on what Joel Embiid can pump out of his injury-riddled frame. The signs are already there, and the front office will have to do more than just its due diligence to strengthen the team’s cushion behind the superstar.
This has been a talking point among the fanbase for quite some time now, yet the 76ers have yet to find a real solution to this radioactive issue. But luckily for them, what was once a rather unrealistic escapade could turn into a wild cakewalk for them if the stars align.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bulls have had a very difficult time trying to trade former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, raising the strong possibility of both camps eventually agreeing to a contract buyout in the middle of next season.
If that sets into motion, Philly should immediately pounce, as Vucevic would make a world of difference for the 76ers.
Dream move to get Joel Embiid some help is officially back on the table for the 76ers
The 34-year-old Vucevic has been a tough sell for other teams due to his age and utter lack of defensive presence. While he turned in a strong bounce back campaign last season on offense, teams do not seem high on his potential value on a team intent on winning.
Having said that, Vucevic would be a dream short-term acquisition for a team like the 76ers, which will not need him to do the heavy lifting as he did in Chicago.
The 76ers desperately need to ease the load on Embiid, and installing Vucevic as his backup qould heavily incentivize the coaching staff into reducing the former’s minutes and workload as much as possible.
Even better, the Montenegrin big man would be a highly capable fill-in for Embiid when he is out due to injury or rest.
Of course, it could take a lot to convince Vucevic to accept such a drastically reduced role, but for a rental that may not even last for more than half a season, he could find it much more palatable to be with a team that can actually still give him a meaningful role.
The Philadelphia 76ers badly need better options than, say, an Andre Drummond. And despite his faults, Nikola Vucevic would be a spotless fill-in for Joel Embiid, who desperately requires someone who can make his life easier for his and the team’s sake.