During Joel Embiid’s seven consecutive postseason appearances with the Philadelphia 76ers, the team has yet to reach the conference finals. The front office is under increasing pressure to find a co-star for the former MVP to boost their chances of making it to the NBA Finals.
Fans speculate that Paul George is Embiid’s preferred teammate after their joint appearance on the June 14 episode of NBA Countdown. While discussing the Boston Celtics and the 76ers’ free-agent recruitment, Embiid hinted at George.
“I can’t stand them. I hate Boston. Great city. Great fans. They’ve got some great players. Hopefully, this offseason, we find a way to get better and add some pieces,” Embiid said, glancing at George mid-sentence.
George, who has a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-2025 season with the LA Clippers, may explore free agency if he doesn’t secure a contract extension. The nine-time All-Star averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game this season. As he enters his 15th NBA season, George’s window for winning a championship is closing, similar to the urgency felt in Philadelphia with Embiid.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report predicted that George would join the 76ers on a max contract. “With the Philadelphia 76ers’ significant spending power, the 34-year-old has the leverage to push the Clippers lest he relocates to the Eastern Conference,” Pincus wrote. “Unless he opts in and extends with the Clips, George would decline his final year at $48.8 million to sign a new contract, potentially for four years ($221.1 million in Los Angeles, $212.2 million in Philadelphia).”
However, a max deal for George would limit the 76ers’ ability to build a competitive roster. “If George is kept for four seasons at the maximum in Philadelphia, the 76ers would have about $13.9 million to spend, assuming all other players are let go except the No. 16 pick, Embiid, and Maxey.”
A team consisting of a rookie, Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey with only $13.9 million left for additional signings doesn’t seem like a title contender, especially considering the injury history of Embiid and George.
Philadelphia has frequently dealt with Embiid’s absences since drafting him third overall in 2014. He played only 39 games this season and has averaged 54 games over eight seasons. Similarly, despite a solid 2023-2024 season, George has averaged just 52 games per season since joining the Clippers in 2019, raising questions about his durability.
At 34, George is approaching his last big contract, making a max deal a risky investment. The 76ers went 16-27 without Embiid this season, and if both he and George were to miss time simultaneously, the team could fare much worse, especially with the roster constraints imposed by a max contract.
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