76ers exercise options on Embiid, Stauskas, Noel


The Philadelphia 76ers exercised the third-year contract options on center Joel Embiid and guard Nik Stauskas on Friday, and the fourth-year option on forward Nerlens Noel.

The moves keep the three players under contract through the 2016-17 season.

Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers since being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft out of Kansas.

The Sixers announced in August that they will hold out Embiid during the 2015-16 season after he underwent a bone graft and had two screws replaced in his ailing right foot. The 7-foot Embiid also had surgery on the same foot a year ago that sidelined him for the 2014-15 season.

Stauskas was the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Sacramento Kings. The 76ers traded for him in June.

Noel was the sixth overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2013 NBA draft. He was traded to the Sixers on draft night.