An MRI confirmed Tuesday that Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the Sixers' preseason opener Monday, the team announced. Hukporti will undergo surgery Tuesday, and further updates will be provided as appropriate. The 24-year-old big man out of Germany signed a one-year, $3.4 million free agent contract with Philadelphia in July after winning a championship with the New York Knicks.
The Sixers are eligible to apply for and get awarded a $1.7 million disabled player exception, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. However, with Philadelphia only $1.8 million below the first apron, they cannot sign a player to replace Hukporti to their open roster spot without either waiving a player or making a small trade. Philadelphia does have an open two-way spot it can look to fill with a center also.
The Sixers signed 7-foot-5 big man Tacko Fall to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal, but Fall is sidelined with a left hip strain and will be reevaluated in approximately 7-10 days. The Sixers are also without Adem Bona, who has a left foot sprain. Including starter Joel Embiid, the Sixers' other frontcourt options are Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. Philadelphia's regular-season opener is Oct. 20 in New York against the Knicks.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing