Todd MacCulloch is one of the 76ers veterans scheduled to report Oct. 2 for the second phase of training camp at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. But it is virtually certain that the 7-foot center will not be ready to play or participate in many - if any - drills.

MacCulloch has not played since Feb. 2 of last season, relegated to the injured list with what the Sixers have described as a foot neuropathy and what some medical people have determined to be Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic disorder that has affected his balance and mobility and conceivably could end his career.

At the same time, MacCulloch hopes to still find a way to continue playing and has not been willing to accept the concept of immediate retirement. At 27, he has four seasons remaining on a guaranteed contract worth more than $24 million. He spent part of the summer searching for treatments that could help, including visiting a physiotherapist in San Diego.

For now, he is one of 16 players on the Sixers' roster, one more than the maximum 15 permitted (12 active) when the regular season begins Oct. 28.

Given all of that, Sixers president/general manager Billy King plans to meet with MacCulloch later this week to try and clarify the situation. Players with three seasons or less experience report Sept. 29. King said he would defer any public comment until after the meeting.

"I don't feel able to jump in [as a player]," MacCulloch said in a recent interview. "I hope they want me around. I hope that includes being at camp, doing what I can do until I'm ready - if I'm ready."

But he is not ready to accept retirement.

"I can't do that," he said. "I don't want to do that. There's too much at stake. I'm going to let it play out. I haven't really put a time limit on it."