The Philadelphia 76ers made the decision on Thursday to send Jared McCain down to the G League in an effort to get him up to speed. It’s tough to ask a player who hasn’t played in nearly a year to be thrown into legitimate NBA action and produce and the Sixers want to make sure he is back to his usual self.

McCain has played three games–in short stints–and has shot 0-for-9 from the floor in his short minutes. He has not looked like himself and coach Nick Nurse is looking for him to get up and down a bit and get him some real minutes.

“I think that—really similar to what I’ve been saying—I really want him to get some trips up and down the court,” Nurse told reporters on Thursday. “I think this is a good little window for him. A couple home games for them and then he’ll be right back in the swing of things. We’re keeping him right here and making sure he’s up to date with everything, all that stuff, so get him up and down, and get some conditioning and, again, three really short stints in the last 11 months, and maybe a chance to get him a couple of longer stints.”

While the Sixers are looking for McCain to get some work in the G League and get his legs underneath of him a bit, they do expect to welcome back their starting power forward from opening night: Dominick Barlow.

Barlow has not played since the home opener back on Oct. 25 due to a right elbow laceration and it appears he will return on Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

“He’s back,” Nurse said. “He’s in. He’s ready to go.”

The Sixers and the Pistons will tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday in the NBA Cup.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers coach talks Jared McCain to G League, update on Dominick Barlow