Knight touches down next week, but when does he play?

John Rillie has confirmed Brandon Knight won't arrive in Australia until next week and can't put a date on when the star point guard will make his NBL debut.

"[He's] still in the US. Looking prosperous for next week, at some stage arriving in the country next week," Rillie told reporters on Tuesday.

Pressed on whether the 451-game NBA veteran would be available to play immediately upon his arrival, the Wildcats coach admitted there was still plenty to work through.

"We all live in hope, but there's paperwork and all of that, medical, so we'll just see how that all plays out," Rillie said.

"We're into the season, so this type of stuff, all I can worry about is the guys that we have available to play the games, and we got a big week this week.

"He [Knight] will be a welcomed addition when he arrives, but right now I got to give my energy to the guys that are here and that can suit up and win games for the Wildcats."

Perth struggled without a traditional point guard in their loss against South East Melbourne Phoenix last Thursday, with Rillie conceding there was too much on the shoulders of star Kristian Doolittle.

Bringing a player into the rotation two rounds into the season is far from ideal, but the Wildcats are banking on Knight's experience to smooth the transition.

"Anyone that joins a team, there's going to be speed bumps," Rillie continued.

"As a team, how can we make that transition as quickly and as seamlessly as possible, but I'd be very naive to think that it's just going to go smooth."

There were also some nervous moments for the Wildcats when Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. left the court with his right calf taped at training, though Rillie played down any concern, calling it purely precautionary for the big man.

"He's been okay, obviously limited with practice today, so we'll see how that all shapes out throughout the day," he added.

"He started practice and then, you know, he's had a great off season, been putting in a lot of work, heavy minutes the other night, so we're being mindful, health is wealth for us right now.

"I would put it in the precautionary category for sure."

After a disappointing performance to start, the Wildcats host the Adelaide 36ers and former club champions Trevor Gleeson and Bryce Cotton on Thursday night, live on ESPN from 9:30pm AEST.