NBA Notes: Sixers, Joel Embiid, Pelicans, Jaden Springer, Jared Butler

76ers

Joel Embiid knows his reality has changed. The Sixers’ superstar has always been a force, but at 30 and coming off multiple injuries, he’s adjusting his approach.

“We’ve got a bunch of athletes,” Embiid said, via The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. “They’ve got to run. My job is to find them, and that kind of saves me.

“If we get early baskets, I don’t have to run up and down as much. I can trail and get into the offense.”

That’s exactly what head coach Nick Nurse wants — Embiid pacing himself for the long haul.

He played just 20 minutes in the opener, finishing with four points on 1-of-9 shooting. Nurse confirmed pregame that his star big man would be on a minutes restriction.

It’s a reminder that the Sixers’ success this season might depend more on Embiid’s health management than anything else.

Pelicans

The Pelicans wasted no time making a roster move.

One game into the season, they waived guard Jaden Springer, who had made the opening-night roster on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deal.

Springer didn’t play in Wednesday’s win but appeared in two preseason games, averaging 3.5 points in limited minutes.

Because his contract wasn’t guaranteed, New Orleans will only take on a small dead-money hit of just over $70,000.

The move opens a spot on the 15-man roster and gives the Pelicans about $4 million of breathing room below the luxury-tax line.

International

Jared Butler is headed to Europe and straight into a starting job.

The 25-year-old point guard has signed with Serbian powerhouse Crvena Zvezda, the club confirmed Thursday.

Butler split last season between the Wizards and Sixers, averaging nine points and nearly four assists in 60 games.

He made a strong preseason push with the Suns this fall, highlighted by a 35-point performance, but Phoenix waived him due to tax concerns.

According to Sport24’s Konstantinos Melayes, Crvena Zvezda beat out several EuroLeague teams for Butler’s services, offering him a featured role and heavy minutes.