New 76ers Rumors on Roster After Hukporti's Season-Ending Injury Amid Buzz on LeBron James' Role

The Philadelphia 76ers don't have much depth at center behind star big man Joel Embiid after Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, and they don't currently have many avenues to address the concern.

According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer , "Even before losing Hukporti, Philadelphia knew it was limited by first apron concerns in making any meaningful roster alterations beyond filling its third two-way spot. Sources say that the Sixers are unlikely to add a big man on a standard NBA deal before early December, when a pro-rated minimum salary would no longer take the team's payroll past the first apron threshold. The only apparent pathway to bringing in a replacement sooner is swinging a trade that actually reduces the team's overall salary commitments by roughly $600,000."

One option could be trading a player like forward Jabari Walker, though he's looked very good during the preseason. Another option may be playing small when Embiid sits, with players like Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow or perhaps even LeBron James operating as a small-ball center.

It isn't the ideal situation—especially considering Embiid's injury history—but the Sixers don't have much flexibility to explore alternate plans, at least until December.