Jahlil Okafor emerges as a trade target for the Miami Heat. (Photo : Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown provided some update on Jahlil Okafor's current condition, the Sixers point guard rotation and his 2016-17 season plan for center Joel Embiid.
Okafor Injury Update
Brown believes Okafor will be ready by opening night. The former no.3 overall pick is still experiencing soreness in his knee, but nevertheless showed signs that he can play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October, 26.
Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 30 minutes per game during his rookie season, underwent a surgery to repair a small tear of the meniscus in his right knee. He's projected to start alongside Embiid in the Sixers loaded frontline.
Projected Starting PG
Jerryd Bayless is expected to start at point guard for the Sixers next season, despite Sergio Garcia and TJ McConnell getting major minutes this preseason. Brown said he's still working out role for both Garcia and McConnel, who was announced as the opening night starter.
"There's no sort of madness from a discipline standpoint, from a performance standout," Brown said. "It's just that we've got a few [preseason] games left. I want to see Sergio more at the start of a game with that group we have been looking at, bring T.J. off the bench and really let him be bothersome defensively as he is. That's the only motive behind that," Brown said via Hoops Rumors.
Embiid restriction plan
The plan is for Embiid to continue playing on minutes restriction until he feels ready to get significant playing time. However, it's uncertain whether the Sixers will allow their prized center to play in back-to-back games.
