Joel Embiid knows a thing or two about the process, and warned Suns rookie Deandre Ayton he would have his work cut out for him when the NBA preseason starts in late September. 

"He's about to get his a— kicked this year," Embiid said at the 76ers' practice facility Friday, via ESPN.

The 76ers center appeared on the network's show, The Jump, and both praised and offered the 2018 No. 1 draft pick some advice, be prepared to work.

Embiid has fielded comparisons to the center out of the University of Arizona, but notes the rookie has work to do before catching up to the 2017-18 All-Star.

"He's going to be good," Embiid said. "But when you talk about 'He looks like Joel Embiid,' I play on both sides of the court. I think I'm a good offensive player, good defensive player. I do it on both ends of the floor. I watched him play and he's got a lot of work to do. But he's got a lot of potential. He's going to be really good."

He's been vocal in the past about the comparison, saying on Twitter, "Don’t compare Ayton to me either... I play DEFENSE."

Last season, Embiid averaged 27.2 points and 13.0 rebounds in 63 games to earn a spot on the All-Star team, but he did miss 10 games late in the year, including two in the playoffs, after sustaining a fractured eye socket and a concussion in a collision with fellow 76er Markelle Fultz.