Nine-time NBA All-Star forward Paul George will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212 million max contract, league sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
George spent the past five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists this past season. The Clippers announced on Sunday night that the two sides were unable to agree to a contract extension, clearing the way for George to move to a different team.
He fits the 76ers on both ends of the floor. On offense, George is equally adept as a pick-and-roll ball handler or in isolation, while being one of the most effective off-ball stars in the league. George is coming off of a season where he reached career highs in field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and free-throw percentage. While George has issues with turnovers occasionally and has seen his free-throw attempt rate plummet in recent years, he will join players that ease both concerns. Tyrese Maxey won the Most Improved Player award by becoming an All-Star point guard, while 2023 MVP Joel Embiid will be the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s offense under Nick Nurse. When George has it going, the 76ers can ride him. When George wants to defer, he has multiple younger stars to allow him to play in the background.
On defense, George’s rebounding has fallen off, and he does not take on as many top assignments as he used to. But he is still a defensive playmaker who has a 6-foot-11 wingspan and active hands. Nurse defenses have always prioritized forcing turnovers, and George is one of the best in the league at creating events.
Ultimately, the 76ers needed to save this era of their franchise. Embiid established himself as an elite force with Ben Simmons, only for Simmons to fall out with the organization and get traded for James Harden. Ironically, the Harden trade to the Clippers enabled the 76ers to open up the space to sign George away after the season. George is 34 and may not have many more All-Star seasons left, but the 76ers have arguably their strongest team since Jimmy Butler left in 2019.
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