Jerryd Bayless Ready to ‘move on' From Wrist Surgery, Be Sixers' Veteran Leader

PHOENIX - Jerryd Bayless can't play point guard for the Sixers this season, so he is playing host for them on Christmas Eve.

Bayless, who underwent season-ending left wrist surgery last week to repair a torn ligament, is welcoming the team to his Phoenix home. He was in the Sixers' locker room before their game against the Suns with his left arm in a sling.

"It had to get fixed," Bayless said. "It wasn't getting better. After talking to everyone in the organization, it was the best direction to go."

Bayless, a nine-year veteran, suffered the wrist injury during training camp. He knew surgery would mean the end of his first season with the Sixers, so he initially opted for non-surgical treatment. He was able to play in three games, but fell on his wrist multiple times against the Grizzlies, only his second outing.

"That's why I was trying to push it off," Bayless said. "That was the goal, to try to avoid it at any cost. From the beginning I knew it was going to be season-ending, but I decided to do it. It's unfortunate, but at the same time I'm glad I'm getting it fixed now and I can move on from it."

Bayless had three pins inserted in his wrist, which is scheduled to be immobilized for the 12 weeks following surgery. He does not plan to do any basketball activity during that time.

The Sixers signed Bayless this offseason to be a veteran leader and, more significantly, their starting point guard who could complement Ben Simmons with the ability to play the two spot. Both were injured in training camp.

"There's a toughness to him," Brett Brown said. "He's amazingly prideful. If he is anything, he is almost anal in his preparation. He goes overboard kind of with everything. He's obsessed and he's maniacal with his workouts. … The pairing of it with Ben and Jerryd was designed really well by Bryan at the start."

With this season cut short, Bayless would like to pick up where he left off when healthy.

"Next year I want to just help play," he said. "I think when I did play three games, continue to expand that role and continue to help in any way I can."

Bayless has spent time away from the Sixers because of the injury. He is stepping into that veteran leader position while they are in his hometown over the Christmas holiday.

"They're my teammates," Bayless said. "They're obviously young. I don't know how many people will have family that are going to be out there with them. Them coming over and just hanging out for a few hours is something that I think will be nice."