The Sixers have made a quiet but meaningful move in their frontcourt, agreeing to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with center Ariel Hukporti. The signing gives Philadelphia another young option behind Joel Embiid and adds fresh pressure to a crowded big-man rotation.
Why Hukporti matters
Hukporti spent his first two NBA seasons with the Knicks, where he went from a late second-round pick to a bigger role under Mike Brown. He appeared in 54 games this past season, starting five, and averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game.
According to www.hoopsrumors.com, the 24-year-old seven-footer is viewed as an athletic player with a high motor. He also logged 10 postseason appearances for New York, including Games 4 and 5 of the NBA Finals.
New York passed, Philadelphia pounced
The Knicks had the option to extend Hukporti a qualifying offer before Monday’s deadline. That QO would have been worth about $2.65 million and would have made him a restricted free agent.
Instead, New York declined the offer to stay below the second tax apron, which opened the door for Hukporti to become unrestricted and sign directly with Philadelphia. His new deal tops the minimum salary, which would have been around $2.45 million.
| Player | Role In The Story | Relevant Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ariel Hukporti | New Sixers center | One-year, $3.4 million contract |
| Knicks qualifying offer | Decision point | About $2.65 million, but not extended |
| Minimum salary | Comparison point | Roughly $2.45 million |
What it could mean for Philadelphia
The Sixers are expected to use part of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception on free agent forward Dean Wade, but they still have enough room to fit Hukporti into that exception too. A bi-annual exception could also be used, though that appears less likely.
Hukporti is expected to compete for backup minutes behind Embiid at center this fall, and Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that Adem Bona will also be in the mix for that job. That competition may be a sign that Andre Drummond’s run with the Sixers is nearing its end.
Cap expert Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron noted that Philadelphia is projected to be $4.6 million below the luxury tax line and $13.2 million below its first-apron hard cap with 13 players under contract. It remains unclear whether the team plans to stay under the tax or move into it, possibly by bringing back Kelly Oubre Jr.
Hukporti will be eligible for restricted free agency again in 2027.
