The 2024 NBA offseason was one that the Philadelphia 76ers were eying for a while. General manager Daryl Morey knew he had the means to make a big move. He accomplished that goal landing Paul George in free agency.
Armed with a boatload of cap space, as only Joel Embiid and Paul Reed were under contract, the Philadelphia 76ers were aggressive in pursuing Paul George. They gave him everything he was seeking, which culminated in a deal.
The two sides agreed to a four-year, $212 million max contract. According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the deal includes a player option. The contract was worked out between George and his agent Aaron Mintz of CAA and several 76ers officials.
Among the Philadelphia representatives were owner Josh Harris, Morey, Elton Brand and the legendary Julius Erving. They all met in Los Angeles, where George agreed to a deal with the team.
That officially ends an era for the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul George was who Kawhi Leonard handpicked to be his running mate in Los Angeles, but the two found very limited success during their tenure together.
Injuries marred what could have been a very successful partnership. In five seasons together, they won only three playoff series; none in the last three seasons. To acquire him from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Clippers finalized what could go down as the worst trade in NBA history, providing the foundation of the Thunder’s resurgence.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, they now have a formidable Big 3 to compete in the Eastern Conference with. Paul George joins fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as the core of the team.
With his stars in place, it will now be up to Morey to find suitable depth to fill out the roster around them. Paul George, Maxey and Embiid is a great starting point for the Philadelphia 76ers.
But their depth, chemistry and cohesion aren’t close to other contenders in the Eastern Conference such as the defending champion Boston Celtics and rising New York Knicks.
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