Brown on Embiid: 'Trying to set the stage for a great summer'

Joel Embiid has increased his level of activity while on the Sixers' three-game west coast trip as he continues to rehab from right foot surgery.

At Sunday's shootaround, held at a high school gym in Los Angeles, a shirtless Embiid was at the far end of the court drenched in sweat. He was working on various post moves long after practice had concluded.

Later that day, he went through a pregame workout with Sixers head coach Brett Brown. Again, he was drenched in sweat, this time wearing a T-shirt.

It's only the beginning of what the Sixers hope will be a crucial next few months for the big man.

"You see him drenched in sweat and shirtless. They are all fantastic signs that his needle is clearly pointing in the right direction," Brown said. "We are trying to set the stage for a great summer. He sees his reward being the summer league and trying to get ready for playing basketball again. He is headed in the right direction."

That progression on the right path continued on Tuesday when Embiid headed in early for another workout. This one took place with assistant coach Billy Lange a half hour before Embiid's teammates made their way to Sleep Train Arena for a matchup against the Kings.

Embiid followed that up with his usual pregame routine with Brown.

"He is feeling better without a doubt," Brown said. "He is ticking boxes with regards to increased time on the court and reduced weight."

The upswing in activity will get Embiid in position to play during summer league, but the ultimate goal is teaming up with Nerlens Noel next season.

"I think Nerlens defensively is going to be used all over the place," Brown said. "Ultimately, we are going to have Joel Embiid at the rim. You are going to have Nerlens maybe switching out on a point guard, double-teaming or hedging when we show hard on pick-and-rolls.

"Because of Nerlens' athleticism and versatility he becomes so pliable to use in many areas. I see his game in such a greater light with who is he going to be when Joel comes, and I think his athleticism and versatility allow us to dream of that."