Andre Drummond will not return to the 76ers, instead agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the New York Knicks, ESPN reported Friday night.
Drummond’s departure became likely when the Sixers on Wednesday morning agreed to sign 7-footer Ariel Hukporti, who had been the third-team center on the Knicks’ championship team, to a one-year, $3.4 million contract. Hukporti will compete with Adem Bona, whose $2.3 million salary for 2026-27 becomes guaranteed on Tuesday, for the backup role behind Joel Embiid.
Drummond professionally handled a fluctuating role in 2025-26. For the bulk of the season, he was the starting center in the games Embiid did not play — and was out of the rotation when Embiid was available. During the playoffs, though, Drummond recaptured the role as Embiid’s backup while postseason first-timer Bona struggled. Drummond averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 63 regular-season games in 2025-26.
The 32-year-old Drummond joins a Knicks team that needed center depth after backup Mitchell Robinson also reportedly departed for the Boston Celtics. He still is a stout rebounder and big-bodied presence, and his corner three-point shooting has elevated from fun novelty to legitimate offensive weapon. But he is not the most mobile, making him a liability on defense.
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The Sixers, meanwhile, have revamped their roster by acquiring All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Celtics. Defensive forward Dean Wade and scoring guard Anfernee Simons also have agreed to sign with the Sixers as free agents. The team also selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. in the first round of the NBA draft last week.
Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. also have departed the Sixers, reportedly agreeing to contracts with the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, respectively, on Wednesday. Veteran guard Kyle Lowry also reportedly will retire as a Toronto Raptor next week. Reserve forward Trendon Watford, whose team option was declined by the Sixers Monday, has not yet committed to signing with a team.
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