Paul George has agreed to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources reported. This deal, which includes a player option for the final season, brings George back to the Eastern Conference to team up with MVP center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey.
George and his agent met with a 76ers contingent in Los Angeles, including owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, and Sixers legend Julius Erving. The negotiations followed months of unsuccessful talks between George and the LA Clippers.
At 34, George joins the 76ers after five seasons with the Clippers, where he averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The move reunites him with former Pacers executive Peter Dinwiddie, now with the 76ers.
The Clippers acknowledged George’s departure, praising his contributions over the past five years, including three All-Star appearances and leading the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2021. Despite their efforts to retain him, the Clippers couldn’t meet George’s demand for a four-year deal.
In Philadelphia, George will join a potent trio with Embiid and Maxey, aiming to challenge the NBA champion Boston Celtics. George’s signing follows the 76ers’ recent agreements with Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond, as they build a strong supporting cast.
George, a nine-time All-Star, has been one of the NBA’s top two-way players, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season. The 76ers hope his addition will help them advance beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2001 and potentially secure their first NBA title since 1983.
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