76ers' T.J. McConnell: No longer frontrunner for starting role

McConnell is no longer expected to start at point guard in Wednesday's season opener against the Thunder, Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times reports.

It was initially believed that McConnell would get the first crack at replacing Jerryd Bayless (wrist) in the starting five for the season opener, but with Rodriguez getting the start in the 76ers' preseason finale, he now looks like the leading candidate for those duties. Regardless of which player he tabs for the start, coach Brett Brown is expected to distribute the minutes relatively evenly between the two point guards in the opener, and could end up rotating both McConnell and Rodriguez in and out of the lineup during Bayless' absence. McConnell probably carries more fantasy upside of the two players after turning in strong per-minute marks in assists, rebounds and steals during his rookie season.