The Philadelphia 76ers traded All-Star James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season. Could Daryl Morey be interested in poaching one of LAC’s premier players in retaliation?
The 76ers reportedly have their sights set on Clippers star Paul George. George has the ability to opt out of his contract at season’s end, which has opened the door for a team like the Sixers to swoop in.
How Realistic Is The Paul George-To-Philadelphia 76ers Rumor?
George is expected to decline his $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. The Clippers appear to be keen on re-signing Kawhi Leonard’s co-star to a long-term deal — but it’s not a foregone conclusion just yet.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently called the 76ers’ “desire to acquire” George the “NBA’s worst-kept secret.” George would slot in perfectly as the versatile swingman next to fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, Pompey also added that he personally believes that George’s interest in joining the 76ers is simply about “creating leverage with the Clippers” in free agency.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who has the deepest pockets in the NBA, has every incentive to keep George at whatever price point. The team has already extended Leonard through to the 2026-27 season. LAC also has its new arena, the Intuit Dome, set to open its doors by next season alongside a complete rebrand of its logo and uniforms. Having your All-Star core intact for the new era appears paramount.
George is also a California native who has fully embraced playing close to home. But until the ink dries on a new Clippers contract, the possibility of a 76ers move still remains.
Paul George Would Be The Perfect Third Star For The 76ers
George flirted with being the alpha on a contender during his Indiana Pacers days. But George appears best as a superstar sidekick next to an MVP candidate like Leonard or Embiid.
George is arguably the All-Star addition the 76ers have needed next to Embiid for nearly a decade now. The Sixers have always had star ball-handlers since The Process kicked into high gear. Ben Simmons, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey have filled that role to varying degrees of success.
However, the wing spot has constantly been in flux for Philadelphia. Guys like Robert Covington, Matisse Thybulle, and Danny Green have come and gone. Nic Batum, De’Anthony Melton, and Kelly Oubre Jr. are the team’s current crop of swingmen.
The 76ers’ best wing player in the Embiid era has so far been Jimmy Butler, who left after half a season with the team. But you could make the argument that Butler’s lack of reliable shooting made him a clunky fit in theory next to Embiid and then-Ben Simmons.
The team won’t have that problem with George, who might be the most plug-and-play star in the modern day NBA not named Kevin Durant. George is one of the best shooters of his generation and can matchup with any perimeter player in the league.
Whether the 76ers actually have a chance to nab George — and if they actually act on it — remains to be seen.
