The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft has played in Philadelphia three times with the Nets since forcing his way out of town. Coach Jordi Fernandez gamely offered that Simmons would only play three of four preseason games after declaring himself healthy despite having played just 49 games the last three seasons.

Joel Embiid will miss the entirety of the preseason as the Sixers manage his knee injury and Paul George will be re-evaluated in a week which would make Oct. 22 a target date for the next update for him.

The Sixers have been honest about their plan to make sure Embiid makes it to the finish line and is healthy for the playoffs.