The 76ers are sitting pretty at 7-1, but their bench center spot is a glaring hole that cannot be ignored. According to The Sixer Sense, Brook Lopez should be a no-brainer target if the Los Angeles Clippers make the obvious move to buy him out. Lopez is in the final year of his deal, and with the Clippers struggling early, a split seems likely. The front office must act fast if they want to secure a veteran who knows how to win.
A Veteran Who Still Has Game
Age is a concern, but Lopez is not done yet. He is closing in on his 39th birthday, yet he is putting up solid numbers for a team that is not winning. He shoots 53.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. By drawing opposing big men away from the basket, he opens space for Joel Embiid to work inside. A player with nearly 1,200 regular-season games and a championship ring brings a level of calm that young backups simply cannot match.
Fixing the Backup Center Problem
The current options behind Embiid are either injured or just not reliable enough to play every night. This leaves the 76ers vulnerable when their star needs rest. Lopez offers a rare mix of rim protection and floor spacing that is nearly nonexistent on this roster. The Sixer Sense notes that the 76ers possess the legroom to acquire a player like Lopez once the buyout scenario plays out. If the deal proceeds, Mike Gansey and his crew ought to head straight to his camp. Philly is already strong on defense, but adding a player who can shoot threes and protect the paint would improve their interior defense.
The Timing Is Perfect for Philly
A massive fire sale of last season’s veterans has already begun with the Clippers, signaling that change is coming. Lopez has been positioned as a buyout candidate this season, making him a prime target for a contender like Philadelphia. While the 76ers have been living up to the hype with a 7-1 start, they still need to address this specific weakness to go deep in the playoffs. The Sixer Sense noted that Lopez is a veteran.
