With the Philadelphia 76ers releasing Hollis Thompson this week, Nerlens Noel is the only player left from the 13-14 edition of the team.

Noel, Robert Covington and Joel Embiid are the only holdovers from the

"I thought there would be a few more players that would have stuck," Noel said. "But it obviously is a crazy thing to look at, seeing how many players we've been through and how many teammates I barely can remember the names of."

The Sixers had discussions with numerous NBA teams last summer about trading Noel.

"Every time you have a sit-down, Coach [Brett Brown] is saying such and such got released," Noel said. "So it definitely builds a willing nature to just be strong enough [to handle it if he's released or traded.] If it ever does come, I've seen it [with others before] and been through it."

Noel will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

"I just see it as survival of the fittest. . . . Honestly, I just see it as that's how it is right now. With all of the guys that came through, they are obviously in better places."