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The Sixers are already at roster capacity after signing another one of James' former teammates, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to their last spot. And they already have two backup centers behind Joel Embiid in 23-year-old Adem Bona and 24-year-old Ariel Hukporti. Philly would need to make a move to accommodate the 38-year-old Love, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from 3 off the bench for the Jazz last season. Though Love has interest in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a strong relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that young group, sources said. Utah, however, also has a full roster.
Ian Begley: The Moussa Cisse offer sheet from Knicks starts at veterans minimum of $2.5M, per league source. If Mavs don’t match offer sheet by Monday afternoon, Knicks would land young center to bolster depth after Mitchell Robinson & Ariel Hukporti signed elsewhere. If Mavs don’t match, Knicks would lose the ability to sign their draft picks to contracts via the second round minimum while also staying under 2nd apron. So Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil would need to agree to two-way deals to play with Knicks in ‘26-‘27.
Bob Myers didn’t mind laying out a case for the Sixers, who feel they’ve seriously strengthened their team by trading for Jaylen Brown. They’ve also drafted Labaron Philon Jr. and signed Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Ariel Hukporti. “When you’re talking about the Sixers, if he was here I’d say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important.’ It’s his life, right? He has to play. He has to face the scrutiny of his decision,” Myers said. “Half the people will say, ‘You should’ve done this’ or ‘You should’ve done that’ and criticize him for whatever. It’s his life; he’s been through all that. What I would just say is, ‘If it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team, because you can win here in Philadelphia.’”
While Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti left New York in free agency, the door remains open for Jordan Clarkson to return, according to league sources, after averaging 8.6 points on 45.1 percent shooting from the field in 72 games for the Knicks this past season.
Ian Begley: On Ariel Hukporti, heard Sixers like what they see in the 24-year-old’s potential/upside, particularly as a rebounder, rim protector and floor-runner. They see the former Knick’s skillset as complementary to the way their guards push the ball/plays with pace. While we wait for Mitchell Robinson decision, Knicks will now have to find more depth at center with Hukporti in Philadelphia
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Shams Charania: Free agent center Ariel Hukporti has agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Hukporti departs the Knicks after playing a reserve role on their title team, and gives the 76ers frontcourt depth and a high-motor, athletic big man.
Yossi Gozlan: This is more than Ariel Hukporti's minimum salary, so this will likely come from the Sixers' mid-level exception. They have $6 million remaining after signing Dean Wade last night.
Vincent Goodwill: The New York Knicks are not extending a qualifying offer to center Ariel Hukporti, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. Hukporti has played 79 across two seasons with the Knicks.
On Thursday, the New York Post reported it was unlikely the team would retain Mitchell Robinson, its longest-tenured player, who is an unrestricted free agent and perhaps the best backup center in the NBA. Robinson just finished the final year of a four-year, $60 million contract that started at $17 million annually and finished at roughly $13 million. League sources confirmed the Post’s report to Front Office Sports, and cited Robinson’s extensive injury history and free throw issues as reasons to avoid going into the second apron to give Robinson another raise. Third-string center Ariel Hukporti presents a younger (24) and cheaper ($1.9 million salary) option to replace Robinson internally. But the Knicks have Robinson’s full Bird rights, allowing them to go over the cap to re-sign him, which isn’t the case with their other free agents.
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Stefan Bondy: The Knicks have recalled Ariel Hukporti and Tyler Kolek from the G League for tonight’s game against the Warriors. They did not recall Pacome Dadiet.
For Hukporti, every second is an opportunity — and on a team stacked with shooters and scorers, his path to staying on the floor is simple: remain fully locked in on defense. “I feel like that’s why I’m here: to play defense,” Hukporti told The News. “Being a defensive anchor. Being there for my teammates… just doing my job. I feel like everyone has their specific role, and I feel like I’m a fantastic player in my own role. So I’m trying to embrace it and I’m trying to bring that every day.”
