LeCenter? LeBron James is 76ers' best option at pivot behind Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

LeCenter? LeBron James is 76ers' best option at pivot behind Joel Embiid

By Sean Keane | Last updated Oct 7, 2026 9:39 PM ET

There's not a lot that LeBron James hasn't done in the NBA. Starting at center in the playoffs would be a new one.

After backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending injury in a preseason game Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers are thin at center behind Joel Embiid. When Embiid is out, James should be the best option to play center.

Having Joel Embiid requires backup plans for Philadelphia 76ers

Since winning MVP in 2022-23, Embiid has played 39, 19 and 38 games in the last three seasons. He's had injuries in his last four trips to the postseason, missing four of Philly's 11 playoff games in 2026.

That's a big reason the 76ers signed Hukporti away from the New York Knicks this summer and why his injury hurts. Adem Bona played the sixth-most minutes on the team last summer, but he provides very little offense, averaging 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the team would likely go with more small-ball lineups, including some where the NBA's all-time leading scorer manned the pivot.

Nick Nurse said with their frontcourt injuries, anyone from the group of Jabari Walker, Dean Wade, Barlow (when healthy), and even LeBron James is a candidate to play some small ball center behind Joel Embiid
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 7, 2026

LeBron James at center maximizes Sixers lineups

The 76ers have other options besides James, but he provides the most upside. Dean Wade is 6-foot-9 but at least 25 pounds lighter than James. Plus, Wade thrives as an on-ball defender, less so as a rim protector. Jabari Walker is strong, but only 6-foot-7, while Dominic Barlow is a negative offensively.

James has experience playing small-ball center as well. In the 2021-22 season, injuries to Anthony Davis led to James playing 50 percent of his minutes at center. It's probably too taxing for the Sixers to play James at center too much during a regular season when he'll turn 42 years old, but in the playoffs, there's far more rest available.

Putting King James at center when Embiid is out also lets the 76ers play their five best players together. With Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in the backcourt and Jaylen Brown at small forward, having James at center lets them maximize their offense, whether that means playing shooters like Wade or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or going ultra-small with Anfernee Simons.

Don't expect a lot of James at the 5 early in the season. But come April and May, in the likely event that Embiid is unavailable, the Sixers' best chance at a long playoff run may be for LeBron to become LeCenter.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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