For years now, the Philadelphia 76ers have danced on the edge of a familiar cliff — building championship hopes around a dominant, but injury-prone center with little protection behind him.
Joel Embiid is still one of the most powerful forces in basketball when healthy. But asking him to carry the load alone through another 82-game grind simply isn’t viable anymore. If the Sixers want to be serious about a deep playoff run, they’ll need to invest in more stability at the five.
Nicolas Kyle Pring of The Sixer Sense recently floated an intriguing idea — one that may have seemed far-fetched in the past, but now feels worth revisiting. Let’s break down why it could make sense.
Vucevic Could Be Buyout Target for Sixers
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Chicago Bulls have had a tough time finding a trade partner for Nikola Vucevic. Given his $60 million contract, it’s no surprise teams have been hesitant — and that’s opened the door to potential buyout talks if things don’t improve during the season.
If that happens, Philadelphia should be watching closely.
Why the Fit Makes Sense
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesNikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls
At 34, Vucevic isn’t the All-Star he once was. His defense has slipped, and he’s no longer a nightly double-double machine that can anchor a team for 35 minutes. But for the Sixers, that’s not what they’d need him to be.
In a backup role behind Embiid, Vucevic could thrive.
He’s still productive — averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and shooting 53% from the field last season, including 40.2% from deep. He’s a capable scorer, a solid rebounder, and a steadying presence on offense. He wouldn’t need to carry the load like he did in Chicago — just keep the ship steady when Embiid sits.
Installing a proven veteran like Vucevic as Embiid’s backup could help convince the coaching staff to ease Embiid’s minutes and reduce the physical toll over a long season. That kind of strategic insurance could prove critical down the stretch.
Sixers Have Needed This for Years
The Embiid era has featured a revolving door of backup bigs — from Andre Drummond to Paul Reed — and while each brought something different to the table, none have truly solved the problem.
The Sixers haven’t had a true Plan B.
This is a win-now roster. Tyrese Maxey has developed from a first-round pick into a cornerstone. Paul George is in the fold. Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe offer upside. But none of it matters if Embiid breaks down in March.
That’s the gamble Philly keeps making. And that’s the one they can’t afford to repeat.
Would Vucevic Accept a Backup Role?
There’s no guarantee Vucevic would embrace a bench role. But if the Bulls cut ties and contenders come calling, Philly can offer him meaningful minutes, a chance to contribute, and a real shot at competing.
He’d be more than just another big. He could be the best Embiid backup the franchise has had — capable of anchoring the second unit and stepping in when needed.
And for a team that keeps living on the edge, that safety net could make all the difference.
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