The Philadelphia 76ers are signing former New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti to a one-year contract.
The Philadelphia 76ers are adding an NBA champion to the mix.
The Sixers are signing former New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti to a one-year, $3.4 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
"Free agent center Ariel Hukporti has agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN," Charania posted to X. "Hukporti departs the Knicks after playing a reserve role on their title team, and gives the 76ers frontcourt depth and a high-motor, athletic big man."
This is a solid move by Philadelphia's new-look front office led by Mike Gansey and Jameer Nelson.
Hukporti will bring a winning mentality along with athleticism and high energy to Philadelphia. The NBA champion averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds on 56.3% shooting in 54 appearances for the Knicks last season. In the postseason, he held a minimal role for New York, recording 1.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
It's entirely possible this signing signals unrestricted free agent Andre Drummond plans to or will sign elsewhere.
The 76ers' center rotation continues to be highlighted by 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, but now youthful pieces in Adem Bona (age 23) and Hukporti (age 24) will serve as the backups.
By not spending heavily on a secondary center, Philadelphia is showing its confidence in Embiid's ability to remain healthy despite his failures to do so in recent years. It also signals a level of confidence in Bona to take a significant step in the right direction next season after a respectable sophomore campaign.
Hukporti is not a flashy signing, but a necessary one when taking into account Embiid's inability to stay on the floor for the entirety of the regular season.
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