The Philadelphia 76ers signed NBA champion center Ariel Hukporti on Wednesday morning. The organization and Hukporti agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.4 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania .
Hukporti is not a major signing but a needed one. He and Adem Bona will battle it out to see who will serve as the primary backup to Joel Embiid next season.
The former Knicks big man averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds on 56.3% shooting in 54 appearances last season while Bona recorded 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 59.5% shooting.
The acquisition of Hukporti signals the 76ers are likely to lose two-time All-Star center and unrestricted free agent Andre Drummond. Spotrac's Keith Smith agrees with this assessment, posting to X , "Ariel Hukporti is getting some of what's left of the Non-Taxpayer MLE (most went to Dean Wade) from the Philadelphia 76ers. May take a return for Andre Drummond to the Sixers out of the mix."
Not only is the salary Philadelphia will be paying Hukporti similar to the money Drummond will earn on the open market, but there is no need for three backup centers even given Embiid's availability struggles.
Drummond has been a serviceable secondary big man for the Sixers for the past two seasons, rebounding the ball at a high level and protecting the paint. He averaged 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds on 47.2% shooting in 63 games for Philadelphia last season.
A handful of championship contenders are likely to express interest in Drummond, who is a proven big man with skills every team desires. Teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks could look to sign him.
Drummond's services will be missed, especially if Bona and Hukporti struggle, but it's clear the 76ers are confident in the youthful backups.
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