PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass over Willie Cauley-Stein #33 of the Dallas Mavericks at Wells Fargo Center on February 25, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers are certainly a better team following the blockbuster trade for former NBA MVP James Harden. Once Harden returns from his hamstring issues, he will form a formidable duo alongside the current MVP front-runner in Joel Embiid. The deal was a no-brainer, as the 76ers were chasing after Harden for months, but the move has left a gaping hole on this roster down low.
Philadelphia could use a backup center after sending Andre Drummond to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal for Harden. Drummond had been playing well behind Embiid this season, and Philly should be looking for a replacement to give the big man a breather when he is off the floor.
Although they did get an established veteran in Paul Millsap alongside Harden in the trade, he is only 6-foot-7 and is not the answer to their center predicament. Paul Reed and Charles Bassey are both inexperienced, which could force the team to turn to the free-agent market to add some size and experience before the playoffs begin.
With that being said, let us look at three free-agent centers for the Philadelphia 76ers to pursue.
3 free-agent centers for the Philadelphia 76ers to target: Willie Cauley-Stein
Though he is not a household name, Willie Cauley-Stein has proven to be a solid player throughout his first few NBA seasons. The big man had been playing backup center for the Dallas Mavericks over the last few seasons before they waived him back in January. He was a serviceable rotational piece for them during his two and a half seasons with the franchise, and the 76ers could look to get him back in the league.
Cauley-Stein never averaged the gaudiest numbers – 4.5 points and four rebounds in 84 games with Dallas – but he could be a passable backup for the 76ers. Standing at a towering 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the big man could provide a hulking presence on the court when Embiid takes his breaks.
Although he has never been an elite shot-blocking big, Cauley-Stein has averaged nearly one blocked shot per game for his career, meaning he could give protection close to the hoop for Philadelphia, in addition to some rebounding.
Ultimately, this would be about adding a center that has experience. Cauley-Stein is 28 years old, and the former sixth overall pick certainly might have something left to give if he is looking for his next shot in the NBA.
He would be a low-risk, high-reward signing for a Philadelphia team that is on the hunt for size off the bench. Cauley-Stein missed five weeks earlier this season due to personal reasons, which was partially why he was waived, but if he is ready to get back in action, the 76ers should call.
Philadelphia </a>76ers are certainly a better team following the blockbuster trade for former NBA MVP James Harden. Once Harden returns from his hamstring issues, he will form a formidable duo alongside the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/joel-embiid-nba-mvp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">current MVP front-runner in Joel Embiid</a>. The deal was a no-brainer, as the 76ers were chasing after Harden for months, but the move has left a gaping hole on this roster down low.</p>
<p>Philadelphia could use a backup center after sending Andre Drummond to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal for Harden. Drummond had been playing well behind Embiid this season, and Philly should be looking for a replacement to give the big man a breather when he is off the floor.</p>
<p>Although they did get an established veteran in Paul Millsap <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33260613/brooklyn-nets-trade-james-harden-philadelphia-76ers-ben-simmons-seth-curry-andre-drummond-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alongside Harden in the trade</a>, he is only 6-foot-7 and is not the answer to their center predicament. Paul Reed and Charles Bassey are both inexperienced, which could force the team to turn to the free-agent market to add some size and experience before the playoffs begin.</p>
<p>With that being said, let us look at three free-agent centers for the Philadelphia 76ers to pursue.</p>
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<h2>3 free-agent centers for the Philadelphia 76ers to target: Willie Cauley-Stein</h2>
<p>Though he is not a household name, Willie Cauley-Stein has proven to be a solid player throughout his first few NBA seasons. The big man had been playing backup center for the Dallas Mavericks over the last few seasons before they waived him back in January. He was a serviceable rotational piece for them during his two and a half seasons with the franchise, and the 76ers could look to get him back in the league.</p>
<p>Cauley-Stein never averaged the gaudiest numbers – 4.5 points and four rebounds in 84 games with Dallas – but he could be a passable backup for the 76ers. Standing at a towering 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the big man could provide a hulking presence on the court when Embiid takes his breaks.</p>
<p>Although he has never been an elite shot-blocking big, Cauley-Stein has averaged nearly one blocked shot per game for his career, meaning he could give protection close to the hoop for Philadelphia, in addition to some rebounding.</p>
<p>Ultimately, this would be about adding a center that has experience. Cauley-Stein is 28 years old, and the former sixth overall pick certainly might have something left to give if he is looking for his next shot in the NBA.</p>
<p>He would be a low-risk, high-reward signing for a Philadelphia team that is on the hunt for size off the bench. Cauley-Stein missed five weeks earlier this season <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1478070357118668800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1478070357118668800%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fdallas-mavericks%2Fwillie-cauley-stein-marquese-chriss-hardship%2F%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">due to personal reasons</a>, which was partially why he was waived, but if he is ready to get back in action, the 76ers should call.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-442078 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1141561366.jpeg" alt="3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1141561366.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1141561366-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 05: Greg Monroe #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 101-96, 3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target: Greg Monroe</h2>
<p>Greg Monroe’s first stint with the 76ers back in 2018-19 was so brief that some fans may not even remember it. But he did play rather well in his limited minutes with the team.</p>
<p>As they search for another center to add to the roster, perhaps bringing Monore back all these years later could be an option worth genuinely considering for Philly’s brass.</p>
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<p>Monroe just finished a solid 10-day stint with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, proving he can still play at a high level. Because he was out of the league for the previous two seasons, many forget that Monroe is still just 31-years-old. The veteran certainly still can help a team that needs some size at the center position, and Philadelphia fits that bill.</p>
<p>In five games with the Bucks this year, Monroe averaged 5.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 14 minutes per contest. Those numbers do not jump off the page, but the veteran could give the 76ers a passable big man off the bench that is capable of scoring the occasional bucket, protecting the rim to some degree, and hauling in rebounds.</p>
<p>All three of those attributes are exactly what the 76ers need right now as they look to bolster the bench. As they look for some size, pursuing a reunion with Monroe would be justifiable for the 76ers.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-442080 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299463460.jpeg" alt="3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299463460.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299463460-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 27: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 free-agent centers the Philadelphia 76ers should target: Marc Gasol</h2>
<p>The most recognizable name on the list, Marc Gasol could be a viable backup center option for the 76ers to consider. Although the former Defensive Player of the Year is currently out of the league, ESPN insider Zach Lowe <strong>(subscription required)</strong> reported that the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/centers-philadelphia-76ers-target/"https://www.espn.com.au/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/33264034/lowe-ridiculous-nba-trade-deadline-which-players-teams-officially-notice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bucks discussed a mid-season deal with Gasol before they acquired Serge Ibaka</a> at the trade deadline. If Gasol is still looking for another shot in the league, Philadelphia should be among the potential suitors ready to pursue him.</p>
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<p>While he is not the three-time All-Star or All-Defensive player that he once was, Gasol could still give a team quality minutes at 37 years old. Playing with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, he proved that he could provide some interior protection by averaging 1.1 blocks per game while also proving to be a legitimate floor spacer, knocking down 41 percent of his three-pointers on 2.3 attempts per game. For a backup, numbers like that would be great for this 76ers unit in the minutes when Embiid is off the floor.</p>
<p>When Philadelphia potentially has to match up against formidable centers in the postseason like Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen, or Chicago’s Nikola Vučević, having a savvy piece like Gasol to guard them would be a massive boost.</p>
<p>Winning a championship with the Raptors in 2019, having defeated the 76ers along the way, Gasol would bring battle-tested experience to a Philadelphia team looking to finally breakthrough that playoff wall.</p>
<p>Though he would not be a needle-tipper, bringing in Gasol could be a quality addition to the 76ers.</p>
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<p>Stay tuned to find out whether or not the 76ers may target any of these three centers to fortify the position before the postseason.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">