Early Monday morning, sources informed the Philadelphia 76ers that free agency forward Paul George has agreed to a four-year, $212 million maximum deal.
George returns to the Eastern Conference as a member of the Fab Four, joining All-Star guard Tyreke Maxey and MVP center Joel Embiid in their quest to dethrone the NBA-champion Boston Celtics. According to insiders, the agreement also contains a player option for the final season in 2027–28.
The 76ers’ owner Josh Harris, GM Elton Brand, PG Daryl Morey, and Sixers great Julius Erving were among those who met with George and CAA agent Aaron Mintz in Los Angeles, according to sources. The Sixers also brought in a front-office official, Peter Dinwiddie, who is a familiar face and friend of George’s from their time together with the Indiana Pacers, according to sources.
The encounter followed months of fruitless discussions between George and the Los Angeles Clippers for an agreement to remain in his Southern California house.
Last season, All-Stars Maxey, George, and Embiid formed one of the most dangerous big threes in NBA history. The trio had the perfect blend of explosive point guard Maxey, exceptional two-way wing player George, and powerful big man Embiid.
George, a 34-year-old who has been named to the All-Star team nine times, played 263 regular season games for the Los Angeles Clippers during the last five years, averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals a game.
George, who was dealt to the Thunder in 2017 and then to the Clippers in 2018 as part of Los Angeles’s free agency signing of Kawhi Leonard, has now moved on. For months, George and the Clippers discussed a possible trade, but they never reached an agreement. According to insiders, the Clippers gave George a three-year contract instead of the four he desired.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Clippers confirmed that George had informed them of his intention to join with an opposing club.
Paul is a top-tier two-way player with exceptional skill. As a team, the Clippers are grateful for the five years they had him. During that time, he played in three All-Star Games, set a franchise record for 3-pointers made, and helped take the club to heights they had never reached before. Nobody connected with the Clippers will forget his efforts in 2021’s Games 5 and 6 versus Utah.
We had five seasons of being in the hunt for a championship after trading a lot to get Paul and Kawhi Leonard. We value the opportunities we had with Paul, despite the fact that we did not achieve our final goal.
Now that he’s in Philadelphia, George, Embiid, and Maxey will be vying for the same goal: to win an NBA title. The Sixers may have the weapons they need to defeat the Celtics if George signs with them.
According to sources, the Sixers agreed to a two-year, $16.3 million contract with shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. late Sunday, which is a major step for George. Rumor has it that big Andre Drummond and veteran guard Eric Gordon were also traded or signed by the 76ers on Sunday.
In spite of overcoming a terrible leg injury he sustained just before the 2014 FIBA World Cup, George has emerged as one of the NBA’s top wing players after being picked by the Pacers at number ten overall in 2010.
Aside from LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis, George is one of only eight players to be named to at least nine All-Star teams since he joined the league. Not only that, he was named to the All-NBA squad six times, including the first team in 2019.
George returned to form last season, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, after missing most of the 2014–15 campaign with an injury. He is again considered one of the best two-way perimeter players in the game.
Who just signed with the 76ers?
Tyrese Maxey, a budding star with the Philadelphia 76ers, just received a lucrative contract extension with the franchise. The $204 million five-year contract demonstrates the organization’s commitment to Maxey’s skill and potential effect on the team’s success.
