Ariel

Hukporti

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.

The 76ers had until Monday to waive Bona without incurring any financial penalty, but they have reportedly decided to hold on to the former second-round pick. As a result, he’s guaranteed to make a shade under $2.3 million next season. In his second NBA season, Bona averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17.4 minutes per game. He’ll combine with offseason signing Ariel Hukporti to provide depth behind Joel Embiid, which makes both players non-factors in fantasy basketball.

Hukporti has provided depth at backup center for the Knicks for the last two years. The 24-year-old appeared in 54 regular season games and even had a couple blocks in the NBA Finals as New York ended its 53-year championship drought. Hukporti will now be depth behind 76ers big man Joel Embiid, so he could find his way into the occasional start when Embiid is forced to miss time.

Previous reports indicated that Robinson should be available, and he was able to do some individual work on Sunday. However, his official designation for the first game of the Finals is questionable. Don’t expect Mike Brown to dip deep down the depth chart for center minutes if Robinson is out. Karl-Anthony Towns will likely play a massive workload, with Ariel Hukporti giving him a few minutes to breathe when Victor Wembanyama isn’t on the floor.

After Robinson played a combined 48 games over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, he appeared in 60 games for the Knicks this year. The 28-year-old center is a key reserve, averaging 19.6 minutes and controlling the boards with 8.8 rebounds. Whether the Knicks can win the Finals, which start next week, without him is a question the organization hopes remains hypothetical. In the case that Robinson is out, New York would probably elect to backfill some of those minutes with Ariel Hukporti.

Robinson is back after missing Wednesday’s Game 2 victory due to illness. With OG Anunoby (hamstring) out, it’s possible that he starts as part of a bigger lineup, but only if Philadelphia has Joel Embiid. Robinson’s return, whether he starts or comes off the bench, likely bounces Ariel Hukporti from the rotation entirely.

While Towns recorded another double-double in Friday’s win over the Raptors, Robinson sat out because it was the Knicks’ second game in as many nights. With both out for Sunday’s regular-season finale, Ariel Hukporti and Jeremy Sochan should play quality minutes, with one moving into the starting lineup.

New York will lose two key reserves for Friday’s tilt, which means Ariel Hukporti and Jose Alvarado should be in line for additional minutes.

Robinson will be unavailable for the second leg of this back-to-back. Karl-Anthony Towns is playing, so Ariel Hukporti will fill out the backup center minutes behind him.