On Monday, Paul George agreed to a massive four-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The max contract also includes a player option in 2027-28.
George was one of the biggest names circulated in free agency, with rumors swirling that he preferred either the Magic, 76ers, or to remain with the Clippers.
The LA native, who returned home after signing with the Clipper in 2019, reportedly wanted to stay in his hometown. After the team signed the 6x All-Star to a three-year, $153 million extension in January, George, a 9x All-Star wanted a four-year, $221 million max deal, but the Clippers offered three-years, $152 million.
So in late June, Paul opted out of his deal and eventually agreed to terms to play in the City of Brotherly Love.
Many saw Philadelphia as a team needing to add another star to compete with the NBA Champions Boston Celtics and the newly reloaded NY Knicks. After seeing Joel Embiid and George together on TV during the NBA Finals, the chatter of the latter’s move to Philly erupted.
“Hopefully this offseason, we find a way to get better, and you know,” Embiid said, pausing to side-eye George, “Add some pieces.”
While avoiding tampering charges by not explicitly mentioning George’s name, the implication was clear.
Now, by adding George and his 20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 3.7 apg career average to the duo of Embiid (27.9, 11.2, 3.6) and Tyrese Maxey (18.2, 2.9, 4.1), the 76ers put themselves in an excellent position to challenge for the Eastern Conference title.
While this is great for Philly, it’s a huge loss for the Clippers, which loses a hometown player and a superstar who originally brought the team and fans dreams of an NBA title.
Unfortunately, the duo could never live up to the expectations placed on them. They only made it to one Western Conference final and were injured for most of their tenure. The Clippers gave up a lot of draft compensation and players to acquire George a few years ago and it never amounted to much but disappointment. Even worse, their new arena, the $2 billion Intuit Dome, is scheduled to open this August and now will do so without its hometown All-Star.
So will George find a place in Philadelphia and bring the city its first NBA title since 1983?
If he meshes with Embiid and Maxey, he very well might, which would make him a hero on the opposite side of the country than where he was originally expected to hoist a trophy.
