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Sixers, Nik Stauskas not talking contract extension

The backup guard averaged 9.5 points and shot 39.6 percent on three-pointers last season.

Nik Stauskas is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Nik Stauskas is in the final year of his rookie contract.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Nik Stauskas said Thursday that he has not had contract extension talks with the 76ers. This season's deadline to extend contracts in the final year of a player's rookie deal is Oct. 16.

The reserve guard isn't exactly surprised.

"Obviously, I haven't had the type of seasons in the past that would warrant me getting a big-time extension," Stauskas said. "I know that. I have so much more to prove. I have so much more to work for.

"So in terms of like getting an extension, my mind has not been on that."

He's just focused on improving. Stauskas added that he would love to remain with the Sixers beyond this season. However, he realizes that decision will be up to the front office.

Stauskas is heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. The Sixers can still make him a qualifying offer of $5.1 million after the season, assuming there is no extension to the deal. He would become a restricted free agent in that scenario, enabling the Sixers to match any offer he receives next summer.

The Sacramento Kings selected Stauskas with the eighth pick in the 2014 draft out of Michigan. He had a rough rookie campaign, averaging 4.4 points and shooting 36.5 percent.  Known as a sharpshooter in college, Stauskas made just 48 of 149 three-pointers (32.2 percent) with the Kings.

The Sixers acquired him in a trade in July 2015. He shot just 32.6 percent and averaged 8.5 points for the Sixers in 2015-16. Stauskas showed improvement last season, averaging 9.5 points and shooting 39.6 percent on threes.

Birthday wishes for Emeka Okafor

The Sixers helped Emeka Okafor celebrate his 35th birthday on Thursday by signing happy birthday at the conclusion of practice.

"I'm 35," Okafor said, "but I feel like I'm 25."

Okafor, who's on a non-guaranteed deal, is the oldest player on the roster. He's a long shot to make the roster after missing the previous four seasons after experiencing a herniated disk in his neck.

Fultz scraps new foul-shooting technique

Markelle Fultz tinkered with his foul shooting release point after participating in July's Utah Jazz and NBA summer leagues. The first-overall pick in June's NBA draft lowered his release point from where it was when he attended the University of Washington. Fultz attempted his foul shots the new way at training camp Wednesday.

It was a short-lived experiment.

"That was just something going on where I wanted to try something new," Fultz said following Thursday's practice. "But my free throw is going to look the same as college.

"I'm just trying to look at different ways to see how the ball can go in the hoop."