LeBron James started at center for the 76ers against Detroit on Sunday, a position born out of necessity rather than design. With Philadelphia short-handed, the veteran big man took on unfamiliar duty. James made clear afterward that he views this as temporary. He doesn't plan on manning the five regularly this season.
The 76ers' frontcourt depth took a hit, forcing the unconventional lineup move. James, who spent most of his career at forward, has the size and versatility to play center in spurts. But asking him to anchor the middle night after night doesn't align with how the team wants to deploy him going forward.
This was a one-off solution. The 76ers expect their healthy roster to take shape soon, eliminating the need for these stopgap measures. James isn't lobbying for permanent relocation to the paint. He's simply doing what was asked of him Sunday, knowing it won't be the norm.