LeBron James does not want to play at center for the Philadelphia 76ers.

With Joel Embiid out due to a foot issue, James filled in at center against the Detroit Pistons.

Philadelphia went down 106-93, with James finishing with 18 points, five assists and two rebounds.

James started at center for just the 15th time in his long career, with the 14 previous occasions coming in the 2021-22 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

But the veteran campaigner hopes it is not a long-term solution.

final. @Bloom_Energy https://t.co/wBW4vpR4yX

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 26, 2026

"Well, we've got an MVP over there [in Embiid]. I'm not here to have a sustainable role at [center]," James said.

"You got Joel Embiid on the team. If I was to say I was signed here to have a sustainable role at [center], I don't think none of us would actually want that. I can do it, but we have [Embiid]."​

Adem Bona was the 76ers only available center on Sunday. He had 13 rebounds and scored six points.

"I thought he was amazing tonight: his energy, his effort," James said of Bona.

"For us, who weren't rebounding well, he came in and gave us that spark on the rebounding offensively and defensively. So, I think his energy and his effort are going to be great for our team throughout the whole season."