Adem Bona’s Development Hits a Speed Bump as Sixers Prioritize Veterans
Adem Bona was supposed to be the insurance policy. The athletic second-year center showed real promise late last season, stepping into the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup and putting up numbers that turned heads: 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game over the final month. He was active, disruptive, and looked like a young big man ready to take the next step.
But fast forward to this season, and Bona’s role has all but vanished. The “DNPs” are stacking up, and instead of building on that strong finish, he’s watching from the bench - or now, from the G League.
The Sixers officially assigned Bona, along with fellow sophomore Justin Edwards, to the Delaware Blue Coats on December 15. It’s a move that keeps him in game shape, sure, but it also raises questions about how the team is managing its young talent - especially considering the injury history of the two veterans ahead of him.
Crowded Frontcourt, Limited Minutes
With Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond both healthy and producing, Nick Nurse has leaned heavily on experience. Drummond, in particular, has turned back the clock with a string of vintage performances, giving Philly a bruising presence in the paint when Embiid sits. That’s left little opportunity for Bona to crack the rotation.
And to be fair, when Bona has gotten on the floor, he’s had his struggles - particularly with fouling. He’s picked up four fouls in under 25 minutes on four separate occasions this season. That kind of whistle trouble can make coaches nervous, especially in tight games where every possession matters.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the upside. Bona is a high-energy big who can run the floor, protect the rim, and finish around the basket.
He’s raw, yes, but the flashes have been there. Last year’s late-season surge wasn’t a fluke - it was a glimpse of what he can bring when given the chance to settle in and play through mistakes.
The Long Game vs. the Short Term
This is where things get tricky for the Sixers. Embiid’s knee issues are well-documented, and history suggests Drummond isn’t exactly a lock to make it through a full season unscathed.
So what happens if - or when - one of them goes down? Right now, Philadelphia doesn’t have a young big who’s been getting consistent NBA reps.
That’s a risk, especially in a season where the margin for error is razor-thin in the East.
Sending Bona to the G League helps keep him active, but it doesn’t replicate the speed, physicality, or pressure of the NBA. It’s not the same as learning how to defend Nikola Jokic on a switch or box out Bam Adebayo in crunch time. Those are reps you can’t simulate in Delaware.
A Balancing Act for Nick Nurse
Nick Nurse is clearly prioritizing wins now - and with a healthy Embiid and a rejuvenated Drummond, that approach makes sense. But there’s a fine line between leaning on veterans and stalling the growth of promising young talent. Bona doesn’t need 25 minutes a night, but completely shelving him could come back to bite the Sixers if injuries hit.
The Sixers saw what Bona could do when given the keys for a stretch. Now, they’re choosing to park him.
Whether that’s a short-term detour or a long-term setback remains to be seen. But if the frontcourt depth gets tested later this season, Philadelphia may wish they’d kept Bona a little closer to the action.