Sixers exercise option on Covington contract

Forward Robert Covington is returning to the Philadelphia 76ers, with president of basketball operation Bryan Colangelo announcing Wednesday the team has exercised the option on Covington's contract.

The Sixers had until June 24 to pick up the option.

Covington, 26, is a 6-foot-9 small forward. He averaged 12.9 points and a career-high 6.5 rebounds in 67 games last season, his third with the Sixers.

He was originally signed by the Sixers in November 2014, after spending much of the 2013-14 season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets’ D-League affiliate. He appeared in seven NBA games for Houston and was named D-League Rookie of the Year during an All-Star campaign.