Andre Drummond’s Newfound Range Is Changing the 76ers’ Rotation - and Adem Bona’s Path
If you told Sixers fans before the season that Andre Drummond would be spacing the floor like a modern stretch five, you probably would've gotten a few double takes - and maybe a few laughs. But here we are. The veteran big man, long known for his dominance around the rim and not much else beyond it, has added a surprising wrinkle to his game: the three-point shot.
Drummond isn’t just tossing up desperation heaves at the end of the shot clock. He’s knocking down threes at a clip that demands attention - 41.7% so far this season.
That’s not just respectable for a center; that’s legitimately good. And while his volume isn’t high, the threat is real enough to change the way defenses treat him - and the way the Sixers structure their rotation.
This evolution has real consequences, especially for second-year big man Adem Bona. Once viewed as a potential successor to Drummond off the bench, Bona now finds himself in a tougher spot. Drummond’s ability to stretch the floor gives Philadelphia a distinct advantage in today’s NBA, where spacing is king - particularly for a team loaded with shot creators and off-ball cutters.
Bona, to his credit, hasn’t been bad. But he hasn’t exactly popped either.
His minutes have been inconsistent, and his role has stagnated. What was once a promising opportunity for a breakout season has turned into a developmental year - one that’s included stints with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League.
The reality is this: even before Drummond started hitting threes, it was going to be tough for Bona to leapfrog a seasoned veteran in the rotation. Now, with Drummond showing he can be a viable floor spacer, that path has only gotten steeper.
When Joel Embiid is healthy and anchoring the frontcourt, the Sixers don’t have many extra minutes to hand out at center. And when they do, they’re going to favor the guy who can complement Embiid’s skill set - or replicate it in a pinch.
That’s where Drummond’s shooting becomes a game-changer. It’s not just about making a few threes.
It’s about fitting into a system that thrives when the floor is open, when defenders are pulled away from the paint, and when secondary actions have room to breathe. Drummond now gives Philadelphia that flexibility.
Bona, for all his athleticism and defensive promise, doesn’t - at least not yet.
None of this means Bona is out of the Sixers’ long-term plans. He’s still young, still developing, and still has time to expand his game.
But Philadelphia is focused on the now. They’re chasing wins, not waiting for potential.
And right now, Drummond’s veteran savvy and newfound range make him the better fit for a team with postseason aspirations.
So yes, Andre Drummond - the same guy who once looked allergic to anything beyond 10 feet - is now helping lead the Sixers’ second unit with a jumper that’s turning heads. And for Adem Bona, that means patience, growth, and a longer road to meaningful minutes.