A new 2026 NBA mock draft sees the Philadelphia 76ers select a German center who plays for the Washington Huskies.
The Philadelphia 76ers could be in the market for a center this offseason.
With how much time Joel Embiid typically misses during the season, having a strong supporting cast in the frontcourt is crucial for Philadelphia. Behind Embiid in the center room are veteran Andre Drummond and second-year big man Adem Bona. The former is set to hit free agency this offseason, while the latter likely isn't ready to act as the lone backup to Embiid.
One way the 76ers could address this potential need is through the 2026 NBA Draft. Philadelphia has the Houston Rockets' first-round pick, which is projected to fall somewhere in the mid-20s.
Bleacher Report's latest mock draft links the 76ers to German center Hannes Steinbach, who is a freshman with the Washington Huskies. The mock draft sees Philadelphia select Steinbach with the No. 24 pick.
"Hannes Steinbach has consistently produced off his combination of size, soft hands, post game and offensive rebounding," B/R's Jonathan Wasserman wrote. "But it's the flashes of face-up footwork, athleticism in the open floor and three-point range that separates him from the other center prospects."
"There are still some questions about the value of a 6'11" big who blocks under one shot per game. The lack of defensive upside likely caps Steinbach's ceiling and keeps him from moving further up draft boards," Wasserman concluded.
The pro-comparison Bleacher Report provided for Steinbach is Orlando Magic center Moe Wagner.
This season with the Huskies, Steinbach is averaging 18.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 55.0% shooting and 35.9% shooting from three-point range in 23 games played.
The offensive end of the floor is where Steinbach thrives. He's not a flashy big man by any means but is efficient on all three levels while providing strong rebounding. As Wasserman mentioned, defense is not Steinbach's strong suit. He's able to use his size and strength to his advantage quite a bit but struggles on the perimeter and can find himself off balance at times.
Between Bona and Steinbach, it's safe to say Embiid would be supported by a versatile center room.
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