Adem

Bona

The 76ers were the only team with a four-game Week 1, which will conclude with a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back. Embiid sitting out one game of a back-to-back, especially this early in the season, is not a surprise. The only issue is that he didn’t reveal which game he’ll miss, with the 76ers hosting Milwaukee on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. Given the strength of those teams, the Bucks may be the team that misses out on having to deal with “The Process.” Adem Bona or Jabari Walker could get a spot start, and LeBron James may spend a little more time at center as a small-ball alternative.

Neither Barlow nor Fall played in Tuesday’s win over the Knicks, and both may be looking at extended absences. Barlow’s injury is more impactful, as he will play rotation minutes once healthy. Adem Bona served as the backup center on Tuesday, but he played only 10 minutes, which isn’t enough to affect fantasy basketball.

Bona was initially listed as questionable for this game, but he has been cleared to suit up for the season opener. He will fill out the backup center minutes behind Joel Embiid, which may end up being a significant reserve role.

Bona missed the entire preseason with a sprained left foot, but he could be available for Tuesday’s season opener. While his availability doesn’t affect fantasy basketball, it will factor into how the 76ers handle the back end of their rotation. Jabari Walker may be asked to play some minutes at center, especially with Dominick Barlow and Ariel Hukportin unavailable.

The full participation in practice is encouraging, but neither player will take the court for Friday’s preseason finale against the Celtics, likely for precautionary reasons. The Sixers play the Knicks on Tuesday for opening night, so fantasy managers rostering Bona and/or Simons should keep an eye on their respective statuses ahead of Tuesday’s tip-off.

Hukporti signed with the 76ers at the start of free agency after spending the first two years of his career with the Knicks. He was expected to provide more center depth behind Joel Embiid, but he won’t be available for this season. Adem Bona (foot) is currently out as well, but he should be the primary backup center behind Embiid, though the 76ers will likely have to make a move to bring in another big.

Walker’s contract for the upcoming season isn’t fully guaranteed until January 10, so he still has work to do. He looked sharp in Monday’s preseason opener, shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and showing more confidence in his shot than last season. Walker’s role may also grow in importance because of injuries to Philadelphia’s other rotation bigs. Adem Bona (foot) is recovering from a sprain, while Ariel Hukporti suffered a lower-right-leg injury in the first half of Monday’s game. Given starting center Joel Embiid’s injury history, Walker is someone to watch with Bona and Hukporti sidelined.

Bona, who is expected to compete with Ariel Hukporti for the backup center job, suffered the injury while representing Turkïye during FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The 76ers announced that he’ll be re-evaluated when training camp begins at the end of the month. While Bona’s injury won’t significantly affect his fantasy draft value, missing regular-season games would remove a potential safety net for managers who select Joel Embiid.

Fall last played in the NBA in 2022, but he’ll get another shot after playing professionally in China. Fall could make an impact as a backup big man if he sees the court, but he’ll compete with Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti for minutes behind the oft-injured Joel Embiid. Thomas and Nelson Jr. are unlikely to see many minutes this season, barring multiple injuries up the depth chart.

The addition of LeBron James via free agency has opened the door for others to consider Philadelphia as a new home, even though the 76ers have limited roster space. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed to a one-year deal, and there have reportedly been conversations between the team and Love’s agent. However, the 76ers have two backup centers on the roster in Adem Bona and offseason signing Ariel Hukporti. Also, the KCP signing filled Philadelphia’s standard contract slots, meaning someone would have to be moved to make room for Love. In a reserve role, the veteran forward/center is unlikely to be in a position to consistently impact fantasy basketball next season.