76ers Rebound Problem Persists Despite Star Additions

May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) drives past Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesThe Philadelphia 76ers spent the summer chasing star power, signing LeBron James and trading for Jaylen Brown, yet they left a massive hole in their defense untouched. The team still struggles to secure defensive rebounds, a weakness that has plagued the franchise for years despite the flashy roster moves. According to The Sixer Sense, the 76ers ranked 26th in defensive rebounding last season and finished dead last the year before that. No amount of offensive firepower can fix a defense that cannot stop the other team from getting second-chance points.

The Cost of Losing DrummondThe front office made a baffling choice by letting Andre Drummond walk away to join the New York Knicks. Rebounding vulnerabilities in Philadelphia arose as Drummond joined the reigning champions on a one-year veteran’s minimum contract to provide an instant solution. Per The Sixer Sense, the veteran big man was a reliable rebounder for the second unit last season, and his departure leaves the Sixers with unproven backups like Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti. This is a direct hit to the team’s depth, especially since the Knicks now have a player capable of matching or exceeding Robinson’s value on the glass.

>Joel Embiid remains the lynchpin for any championship hopes, but he cannot do everything alone. Yahoo Sports notes that while Embiid played at an All-Star level last season with 7.7 rebounds per game, the roster around him lacks another interior presence to share the load. The team cannot rely on perimeter players to solve a problem that demands size and positioning. The coaching staff must adjust their aggressive schemes, which often leave players scrambling and out of position to grab loose balls. Without a collective effort to box out, the team will waste the energy spent stopping initial possessions.

A Roster Built on RiskThe narrative that the Sixers are ready to win ignores the reality of their defensive stats. They have added great rebounders for their positions in Brown and James, but this issue stems from strategic decisions made over the last few years. The Sixer Sense reports that under Nick Nurse, the team has deployed a more aggressive defense that trades rebounding for pressure. This approach has not turned them into a juggernaut, and the trade-off is now costing them games. To survive the playoffs, the squad must avoid becoming an abysmal defensive rebounding unit once again.

>The situation is dire because the team lacks a concrete solution from a roster-building standpoint. Losing their best defensive rebounder in Drummond makes the problem worse, and no current big man is known for an imposing presence on the boards. The Sixers did not bring Drummond back, and he is signed a one-year, $3.9 million veteran-minimum deal with New York. Now, the team will have to settle for whoever shows out the most during training camp, a gamble that could cost them a title run. The 76ers must fix this or risk another early exit.