The 76ers don’t have to pretend the center spot is fine. A 6-1 start has covered up a lot, but not this. Philadelphia’s depth at the position has been shaky since the summer, and it took another hit when Ariel Hukporti went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in the team’s first preseason action.
That leaves the Sixers staring at a problem they can’t ignore for long. For now, they’ve been piecing things together with Adem Bona and a rotation of forwards, but that’s not a real answer.
At some point, the front office is going to have to go shopping, and these early-season games can double as tryouts for possible trade targets. Monday night against the Bulls gives them one obvious name to watch: Jalen Smith.
Smith is already familiar to Philadelphia. The former 10th overall pick out of Maryland in 2020 has faced the 76ers 16 times in his career, including twice with the Phoenix Suns and then five more times since joining the Bulls. He first saw Philly in a Bulls uniform on December 8, 2024, and if the Sixers haven’t taken a hard look at him before, that should change now.
The fit is pretty straightforward. Philadelphia doesn’t need another Joel Embiid clone.
It needs a center who can protect the rim, rebound with consistency and, if possible, stretch the floor a bit. Smith checks enough of those boxes to make the conversation worth having.
Across seven seasons, Smith has averaged 17.0 minutes per game and put up 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds - 11.8 per 36 - and nearly 1.0 block per game. He’s not a volume shooter from deep, but he has hit 34.4% of his 3.9 threes per game over the past three years with Chicago.
There’s a chance he won’t be at full strength Monday. Smith is on the injury report with a finger sprain, though he’s probable. If Nic Claxton is out again, Smith could be in line for another start, which is the kind of role Philadelphia would probably have in mind depending on Joel Embiid’s health.
The timing makes this even more interesting. Smith is making $9.4 million this season, and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
On a contract year with a rebuilding Bulls team, he looks like a player Chicago could be willing to move. The Bulls and Sixers will see each other again in Chicago at the end of the week for a 3:30 PM ET tip, giving Philadelphia another chance to evaluate him up close.
In Other News...
Sixers Win Gets Overshadowed By New Adem Bona Concern
The 76ers kept rolling with a 112-106 win over the Pistons, pushing their record to 8-1, but the night ended with a more uneasy note than the final score suggested. Philadelphia has been one of the leagues early surprises, and the latest victory only added to the sense that this group is finding its footing quickly.
Adem Bonas exit in the fourth quarter shifted the focus after the buzzer, with the center leaving because of a neck injury. Nick Nurse said Bona appears to be okay, but the team has not yet offered an official diagnosis or any timeline for what comes next, leaving Philadelphia waiting to learn whether the concern is short-lived or something that lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Former Sixers Guard Quickly Found His Next Chance After Philly Moved On
Oklahoma City wasted little time adding another body to its backcourt and wing mix, signing guard/forward Dalen Terry to a two-year contract as it tries to patch together depth amid a rash of injuries to key players. Terry, a former first-round pick, had most recently been with the Philadelphia 76ers before landing with the Thunder, giving him another chance to carve out a role after moving through a couple of organizations.
For the Sixers, it is another reminder of how quickly roster churn can reshape a players path. Terrys stop in Philadelphia was brief, but his next opportunity arrived just as fast, and Oklahoma City is clearly looking for someone who can help absorb minutes while the roster gets healthier. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Nurse Just Made The 76ers Frontcourt Wait Even Harder
Dominick Barlows start with the 76ers has been delayed before it ever really got going, and the frontcourt has been left waiting on a player who has yet to appear in the 2026-2027 season. A back injury suffered before the preseason has kept Barlow on the sideline, and the team has been careful not to rush the process as it tries to get a clearer read on where things stand.
Nick Nurse said Barlow is seeing a specialist and has only had limited court time so far, with a re-evaluation expected soon. For a Philadelphia roster that could use every available body up front, the uncertainty is the frustrating part, because there still is no firm timeline for when Barlow might be ready to join the mix. [Read more 🡒]