The Philadelphia 76ers knew they needed frontcourt help behind Joel Embiid heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. With the 35th pick, they turned to Auburn big man Johni Broome, hoping he’d bring some stability and upside to their backup center rotation. But fast forward to midseason, and that pick is looking more like a long-term project than an immediate fix.
Broome hasn’t seen meaningful minutes in the NBA yet. Instead, he’s been logging his time with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League, while other rookies from his class-like Maxime Raynaud, taken seven spots later by the Kings-are already carving out real roles at the next level.
To be fair, Broome’s path to the floor in Philly is crowded. The Sixers have a logjam in the frontcourt with veterans like Andre Drummond, athletic big Adem Bona, and the versatile Dominick Barlow all competing for minutes.
That’s a tough group to leapfrog, especially on a team with playoff ambitions. Compare that to Sacramento, where Raynaud has stepped in for an injured Domantas Sabonis and taken full advantage of the opportunity.
He’s averaging 9.5 points and 6.4 boards in just under 23 minutes a night-not eye-popping numbers, but solid production for a rookie big learning on the fly.
The contrast between the two rookies is hard to ignore. Raynaud’s game has translated quickly.
He’s shown touch around the rim, a willingness to stretch the floor, and the kind of rebounding instincts that coaches love. Broome, on the other hand, is still trying to put it all together.
Offensively, Broome has flashed some scoring ability in the G League, but the rest of his game hasn’t quite caught up. His defensive presence is still a work in progress, and his rebounding-something that should be a strength for a 6’10” post player-hasn’t stood out.
Then there’s the efficiency issue. Broome is shooting just 46.9% from the field, which is middling for a traditional big who does most of his work near the basket.
His three-point shot sits at 22.9%, and his free throw percentage is a rough 56.5%. Those numbers don’t exactly scream “NBA-ready.”
That doesn’t mean Broome can’t develop into a contributor down the line. He’s got touch, size, and the kind of offensive instincts that can be molded.
But right now, he’s not forcing the Sixers’ hand. He hasn’t given the coaching staff a reason to shake up the rotation or shift resources away from more proven options.
That’s the reality for a second-round pick on a contending team-you’ve got to earn every minute.
Meanwhile, Raynaud is doing just that in Sacramento. He may not have landed in the most stable situation, but he’s making the most of his reps. He’s showing he belongs, and that’s all you can ask for from a rookie big in his spot.
In hindsight, the Sixers’ decision to go with Broome over Raynaud is going to draw scrutiny, especially if Raynaud continues to trend upward. But the book isn’t closed on Broome.
He’s still developing, still learning the speed and physicality of the pro game. Whether he turns into a rotation piece or not will depend on how quickly he can round out the weaker parts of his game-particularly on defense and the glass.
For now, though, it’s clear who’s ahead in this early rookie comparison. Raynaud is on the floor, impacting games. Broome is still waiting for his chance.