The acquisition of All-Star wing Paul George has instantly made the Philadelphia 76ers contenders in the Eastern Conference. For the former Los Angeles Clippers forward, though, there is a real chance the Joel Embiid-led team can win it all next season.
The former Clippers star recently agreed to sign a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Sixers. As it stands, Philadelphia were one of the few high-level playoff-caliber teams with salary cap space to pursue a player of George’s talent.
George, a nine-time NBA All-Star, had a stellar 2023-24 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range, and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
This addition of George puts the Sixers in a prime position to contend for an NBA championship, with Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey already on the roster. Philadelphia has not reached the conference semifinals since 2001, and they have lost in the first or second round of the playoffs for the past seven seasons.
The Clippers, meanwhile, expressed their disappointment in not being able to retain George. They acknowledged and respected the All-Star’s decision to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.
Paul George Gets Real on Philadelphia 76ers’ Chance of Winning NBA Championship
With George now in the fold, Philly has a stronger chance to compete for a title next season. In an episode of his podcast on YouTube, the All-Star wing shared his thoughts on the Sixers’ chance of winning a ring.
“Yeah, I mean I think Nick Nurse is as good as it gets with coaching. He’s won at many different levels. I already talked about how good Joel is and Tyrese is, and now you mix in myself, [Kelly] Oubre [Jr], I think we have a hell of a starting five and then we got veteran guys coming off the bench so we already have a recipe to be a really good team and then I think everybody wants to win.
I think you have a good mixture of veterans and young guys. I think Jared McCain will help– really good player out of college. It is just a good mixture of everything…I know people take things out of context, like duh, I want to win a championship, but playing the right way means a lot as well.
Celtics won the championship because they played the right way, that’s what I’m referring to is playing the right way– right brand of basketball that fits my game and my play style so that’s what I meant by that…ultimately winning a championship means the most and the only thing I’m trying to do at this point in my career,” George said.
Apart from getting George, Sixers general manager Daryl Morey signed Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon to bolster the team’s talent. With those three, Oubre, Embiid, and Maxey, Philly has gained its best chance to win a title in years.
It remains to be seen how George and the Sixers will fit when the upcoming season starts. If all the major players remain healthy, the All-Star wing’s prediction might come true next year.
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