Joel Embiid will practice with the 76ers' summer-league team but not play. (AP)

After a full year of rehabilitation, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been cleared to start light scrimmaging in five-on-five settings, league sources told The Vertical.

It is the next step in the process to make his NBA debut in 2016-17.

Embiid, the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, has missed two full NBA seasons because of foot injuries. Embiid, a talented, versatile player, is considered a key to the 76ers’ future.

The 7-foot Embiid has been impressive in his non-contact workouts in recent weeks at the 76ers’ facility, sources said, and the soundness of his problematic right foot should continue to allow him to begin preparations for next season.

Embiid, 22, is expected to travel to Las Vegas for the 76ers’ entry in the summer league in July but only to practice with the team, sources said. There’s no plan for him to participate in summer league games.

Embiid has not played an NBA game since being drafted because of foot surgeries. Last summer, Embiid had a bone-graft surgery to repair the navicular bone in his right foot.

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