NBA Notes: Sixers, Joel Embiid, Nuggets, Spencer Jones, Knicks

Sixers

Joel Embiid doesn’t think the Sixers need anyone to take a back seat. He wants their stars doing what made them stars in the first place.

“I’m against the concept of sacrificing,” Embiid said after Friday’s preseason finale, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. “I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”

Embiid looked considerably sharper against the Celtics after struggling in his preseason debut against the Nets. He finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes Friday.

The Sixers still lost to a Celtics team resting several rotation players, leaving plenty to work on before opening night. Bringing together Embiid, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey gives Philadelphia considerable talent, but establishing how everyone fits remains a work in progress.

“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Brown said. “So that’s just a part of it. It’s a part of coming together, a new group with a bunch of guys, different style, but we just got to keep getting better every day.”

Nuggets

Spencer Jones expects to be available when the Nuggets open Thursday at Oklahoma City.

Jones participated in part of Sunday’s scrimmage and told reporters he’s on track to play, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. He had been sidelined by a hamstring strain suffered early in training camp.

His return would give David Adelman another option while the coach continues sorting through the bench. Adelman said he could use what he called a “fake” 11-man rotation, giving extra players brief opportunities depending on how a game develops.

Trevon Brazile, Bryce Hopkins and Cam Whitmore were among the players he mentioned.

“If the first half doesn’t work out, is there somebody that you say, ‘Why don’t we change it up and play them in the third quarter?’” Adelman said, via DNVR Nuggets. “A small amount of minutes, but just rotate them in. … You can’t be scared to throw those guys out there.”

Brazile believes his preseason helped him earn consideration, though the second-round pick isn’t treating it as a finished audition.

“I think I put myself in a good spot,” he said. “… But I definitely got more in the tank. I know I’ve got more I can do on the court.”

Knicks

Miles McBride still wants an extension with the Knicks, even if the team isn’t ready to negotiate one.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said McBride would welcome renewed discussions after New York paused extension talks with four players, writes Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.

“No doubt, he would love to get (an extension),” Bartelstein said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “But at the end of the day, you work for the Knicks and it takes two sides to get a deal done. And if the Knicks aren’t ready to do extensions right now, then we just gotta buckle up and go have a great season.”

McBride will earn $3.96 million this season before reaching free agency next summer. Bartelstein said he maintains a strong relationship with president Leon Rose and the front office, leaving open the possibility of talks resuming during the season.

He also pointed to McBride’s willingness to play through discomfort during the Knicks’ championship run after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in February.

“He came back and he wasn’t really right yet,” Bartelstein said, “but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be there for his teammates.”