Ariel Hukporti, the free agent center the 76ers signed this offseason to back up Joel Embiid, is out for the entire 2026-27 season after tearing his Achilles in the preseason opener this week. That’s a gut punch, a major problem for a team that desperately needs reliable depth behind their star big man.
The Embiid Problem Just Got Way Worse, But Here Comes LeBron
Let’s be real: Joel Embiid is a beast, but he hasn’t exactly been an iron man, right? The dude has played just 96 games over the past three seasons. When your starting center misses that much time, you *need* backups who can hold their own. While Adem Bona is still there, and Dominick Barlow, who’s usually a power forward, can slide over, that pair probably won’t cut it on their own if Embiid gets sidelined again.
But get this: the Sixers might have accidentally solved their problem back in late July when they signed the most versatile player in NBA history for the minimum. Yeah, you heard that right, LeBron James. Nobody fills gaps quite like him. He even said it himself at media day: “The luxury of my game is that I can do everything. Literally, I can do everything.” And Coach Nick Nurse is on board, listing James as an option for some backup center minutes now that Hukporti is out. Nurse noted, “I think LeBron is another candidate. I think he’s played some small-ball five as well.” This Thursday night, James is set to make his preseason 76ers debut, and we could see him down low.
The Numbers Are Wild: Unstoppable Offense, Questionable Defense
It’s true, LeBron has played some small-ball five, but it’s been mostly a recent thing, really only kicking off five years ago when the Lakers needed him to step up. So, what happens when King James guards the paint? Cleaning the Glass’ lineup data gives us the scoop, and it’s a wild ride.
Here’s the breakdown:
* **2021-22:** 2,133 possessions, 115.6 Offensive Rating (76th percentile), 115.9 Defensive Rating (23rd percentile)
* **2022-23:** 455 possessions, 120 Offensive Rating (89th percentile), 115 Defensive Rating (51st percentile)
* **2023-24:** 154 possessions, 126 Offensive Rating (98th percentile), 128.3 Defensive Rating (1st percentile)
* **2024-25:** 714 possessions, 122.8 Offensive Rating (94th percentile), 119.7 Defensive Rating (16th percentile)
* **2025-26:** 143 possessions, 155.2 Offensive Rating (100th percentile), 115.1 Defensive Rating (57th percentile)
The first thing that jumps out? LeBron’s center minutes were heaviest in 2021-22, almost as many possessions as Embiid played all of last season (2,481). And the offense? It’s *always* good, often great. Seriously, in every single one of those five seasons, LeBron-at-center lineups were at least in the 88th percentile offensively, peaking at a bonkers 155.2 Offensive Rating in the 100th percentile last season! That’s what happens when you swap out a traditional center, usually the worst shot-creator, for LeBron James. The scoring just erupts.
But then there’s the defense, which is usually bad, sometimes just straight up miserable. That 1st percentile defensive rating in 2023-24? Yikes. So while the Sixers are about to unleash an offensive juggernaut, they might be leaving the back door wide open on the other end.
LeBron’s preseason debut for the Sixers is Thursday night. Keep your eyes peeled for those minutes at center. It’s a high-stakes gamble for Philly, one that could either unlock an unstoppable offense or expose a glaring defensive hole, all while trying to keep Embiid fresh for the long haul.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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