Brett Brown: Markelle Fultz Would Have to Tell 76ers He's Ready to Return

If Markelle Fultz is going to return to the Philadelphia 76ers this season, he will have to let the team know when he's ready to play.

Prior to Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach Brett Brown provided an update on Fultz's status, per the Associated Press:

"It's just something that when Markelle Fultz feels like he can go—he really feels good about himself and his health, the shoulder, everything and the medical people support that—he knows that he has a coaching staff and a team that will welcome him in when he says go. He also understands the season is around the corner in terms of the end of the regular season. That's where it's at."

The 76ers traded up two spots in last year's NBA draft to select Fultz first overall. The rookie point guard has only appeared in four games, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.

Fultz's last appearance came Oct. 23 against the Detroit Pistons. He was shut down after that game due to a shoulder injury that previously required cortisone shots due to pain and inflammation.

Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo told reporters in February there was a chance Fultz could either return or be shut down for the rest of this season, but "we don't know the answer to that" yet.

Philadelphia enters play Sunday at 42-30, fourth-best in the Eastern Conference.