Sixers lose center for the year with knee injury

Montrezl Harrell, who won Sixth Man of the Year in 2019-20, got an MRI Wednesday and learned he'd torn the ACL and meniscus in his right knee. Philadelphia's backup center is likely to miss the entire 2023-24 season.

Harrell declined his $2.7 million player option for 2023-24 in June and became a free agent, only to rejoin the Sixers two weeks later with a nominal raise to $2.9 million. Last year, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds, playing 12 minutes per game as Joel Embiid's backup. He also shot nearly 60 percent from the floor.

Philadelphia signed center Mo Bamba two days later, and matched Utah's offer to restricted free agent Paul Reed, which gave them three backups to MVP Embiid.

While Harrell was likely at the back of the 76ers' depth chart, the team reportedly loved his presence in the locker room.

While the 76ers haven't made an immediate move in response to the injury, last year's third-string center for the playoffs was DeWayne Dedmon — and he's still a free agent. While signing four centers in one offseason is fairly unprecedented, Sixers president Daryl Morey is all about breaking precedent — and ensuring Embiid can rest up for the playoffs.