After spending the last 5 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, 9-time All-Star forward Paul George has inked a 4-year, $212 million maximum contract with the 76ers. He will join Philadelphia stars Tyrese Maxey and recent MVP Joel Embiid in a move that will shake up the entire NBA. A new “Big 3”, if you will.
Philly would also agree to deals with forward Kelly Oubre Jr., shooting guard Eric Gordon, and rebounding specialist Andre Drummond, fortifying their depth.
George, 34, averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals during his time in Los Angeles. At the time of his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Clippers, it appeared that Los Angeles would be the new team to beat in the West, led by George and star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers ultimately couldn’t deliver and achieve their ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s first championship, a tenure that would be marred by injuries at seemingly the most inconvenient times. They would make their deepest playoff run during the 2021-22 season, losing in the Western Conference Finals to the Phoenix Suns in 6 games, a series where Kawhi Leonard was unavailable. Paul George played great basketball but it wasn’t enough to overcome Devin Booker and the Suns.
Does Paul George Help Finish “The Process”?
Paul George brings an elite two-way game to Philly, having the ability to score on all three levels as well as being one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA. Pairing his game with the playmaking ability of Tyrese Maxey and the pure dominance down in the post of Joel Embiid, they could potentially have enough to match the defending champion Celtics.
The issue here is the health of Paul George and Joel Embiid. Both players have missed plenty of game time over the past few seasons and will need to be available for the Sixers to have a shot at not only usurping Boston for the Eastern crown but ultimately winning it all and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, the franchise’s first since 1983.
This deal no doubt makes the Sixers one of the favorites, and now all we can do is wait and see what they are able to do with their new star player.
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