Ariel Hukporti leaves Knicks for 76ers in NBA free agency

Multiple reports say Ariel Hukporti has agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending his run with the New York Knicks after two seasons.

The move adds another center to Philadelphia's frontcourt depth chart behind Joel Embiid. It also leaves the Knicks with one less reserve big as they continue working through their free-agent and roster decisions.

Reported deal

Liberty Ballers first reported the agreement on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, and the New York Post later reported that Hukporti was leaving the Knicks for Philadelphia. A third report from Posting and Toasting said New York did not extend a qualifying offer, helping clear the way for the move.

No official team announcement was found in the coverage reviewed, so the deal remains reporter-confirmed rather than publicly finalized by the teams in the searched sources.

What Hukporti means for both teams

Hukporti is being described as a reserve center and a low-usage rotation big. For Philadelphia, that gives the team an inexpensive option for center depth behind Embiid, a position the 76ers had been looking to reinforce.

For the Knicks, the departure trims their frontcourt depth and tightens the roster math as they sort out the rest of their offseason. One report said Hukporti appeared in 54 games last season, while another said he played 79 games across two seasons in New York.

What comes next

The next checkpoint is an official announcement from Philadelphia or a transaction log update that confirms the contract terms. The Knicks' response will also be worth watching, especially if the move affects their plans at center or triggers another roster move.