Report: Sixers Increasingly Optimistic About Landing Paul George

There is “growing optimism” for the Philadelphia 76ers that they will be able to land Los Angeles Clippers unrestricted free agent forward Paul George, per NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

George reportedly is taking meetings with the Sixers, as well as the Clippers and Orlando Magic once free agency begins. He entered free agency after declining his 2024-25 player option with the Clippers. 

Philadelphia is one of just a handful of teams under the salary cap and able to offer George a full maximum contract. Reports suggest the Clippers are preparing a three-year offer, as opposed to the full four.

One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games, while the Warriors missed the postseason. The franchise has never reached the NBA Finals, dating back to their days as the Buffalo Braves.

George is an unrestricted free agent after declining his 2024-25 player option. If the Clippers don’t offer him the max, there’s a strong chance he walks, per Wojnarowski.

One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% on 3-pointers and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

George and Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019.

The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games, the Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in seven games and the Sixers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round in six games. 

George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. He was born and raised in Palmdale, California. 

George has made nine All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams.

The Clippers acquired George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 2021, losing to the Phoenix Suns in six games. If George leaves the Clippers, the Leonard-George era undoubtedly will be one of the most disappointing duos in NBA history.