Hukporti's Achilles tear leaves 76ers short of centre cover

Ariel Hukporti’s season is over after the Philadelphia 76ers centre tore his Achilles tendon in the team’s preseason opener on Monday, 5 October. The 76ers said he was due to have surgery on Tuesday, leaving them without the centre depth he was brought in to provide behind Joel Embiid.

Hukporti joined Philadelphia on a one-year, $3.4 million deal after averaging 9.2 minutes per game as a reserve with the Knicks. He had been in line for a larger role with the 76ers, who manage Embiid’s minutes and health with the playoffs in mind.

A difficult gap to fill

The injury leaves Adem Bona as Philadelphia’s only other true centre. Bona averaged 17.4 minutes across 71 appearances, including 18 starts, in 2025-26, but the 76ers now face the prospect of asking more of him or Embiid than planned.

Finding another centre is complicated by the team’s finances. Philadelphia is hard-capped at the first apron after trading for Jaylen Brown and is currently $1.8 million below that limit. Even a minimum contract would cost more: the figure ranges from just over $2.1 million for a player with one year of experience to $3.8 million for a veteran with at least 10 years of experience.

The 76ers could apply for a disabled player exception to open a roster spot, but that would not permit them to exceed the first apron. To sign a replacement, they would need to clear space or wait until a pro-rated minimum contract falls below their available $1.8 million.

Options on the roster and beyond

One way to create room would be to waive Jabari Walker, whose contract is guaranteed for only $250,000 until 10 January, according to Spotrac. That would leave enough space for a veteran minimum deal, although the available centre options are limited.

Mason Plumlee, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo are among the available veterans Philadelphia could pursue. Other possibilities mentioned in the free-agent pool include Kevin Love, Chris Boucher, Maxi Kleber and Dario Saric as smaller line-up options.

A trade is another route, but Philadelphia’s options are limited until 15 December, when players signed this summer become eligible to be dealt. Walker could be an earlier trade option, while Anfernee Simons becomes eligible on that date.

What comes next for Philadelphia

Until the 76ers make a move, Walker, Dean Wade or Dominick Barlow could spend time at centre in smaller line-ups. Hukporti’s absence makes preserving Embiid’s health for the playoffs harder to balance against the need for centre minutes during the regular season.