Andrew Bynum will play this year, maybe

Andrew Bynum Bynum thinks he could be practicing with his new teammates in 1-2 weeks.

One more week! One more week! OK, maybe two.

That’s the new timeline for the arrival of Andrew Bynum on the Sixers’ practice floor. The All-Star big man — and supposed face of the franchise — updated the media on his rehab and offered encouraging words.

“Yes, [I’m sure I’ll play this year],” Bynum told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t see any surgeries and no doctor has told me I need them. I think I just have to grind up the cartilage that’s loose and I’ll feel better, so that’s what we’re working on doing.”

Bynum has attempted jumpers and practiced a few dunks, but he has yet to participate in a full-squad practice with his new teammates. He was set to visit orthopedist Dr. Jonathan Glashow in New York Wednesday.

While Bynum remains optimistic on his debut, Sixers coach Doug Collins is trying to curb excitement.

“He’s really the only one who knows. Everyone else is just speculating,” Collins told reporters. “I have to coach the team like he’s not [returning].”