Trade Proposal Sends Sixers’ Paul George, No. 3 Pick To Wizards

May 31, 2025

Maybe it’s time to end the Paul George experiment in Philadelphia. Yes, already.

George only spent one season with the 76ers, a season that resulted in nothing but a disappointing finish and some luck in the lottery. So maybe the Sixers can use that luck to move on from George and get other win-now veterans.

According to one hypothetical trade proposal, George and the Sixers’ No. 3 overall pick would head to the Washington Wizards for a deal that included Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart. It was put forth by Greg Finberg of SB Nation and it goes like this:

Wizards receive:

Paul George
No. 3 overall pick

Sixers receive:

Khris Middleton
Marcus Smart
Saddiq Bey
No. 6 overall pick
2026 first-round pick (worst of LAC, HOU, OKC)

I actually don’t hate this for either team. It may not make sense for the Sixers, on paper, but it very well could work out on the court.

Why would the Wizards do it?

“Moving up to select Ace Bailey, who could develop into the star player this roster desires, would be a major gamble, especially if it means taking on Paul George’s contract, which is one of the league’s worst deals,” Finberg wrote. “George, 35, is owed $161 million over the next three seasons and is coming off a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign in which he appeared in just 41 games and regressed on both ends of the floor.”

And what about Philly?

“The Sixers would add three solid veterans for the price of one, move back just three slots in the 2025 draft (they could still select the prospect they covet at No. 6 as well) and receive an additional first-round pick while getting off one of the worst contracts in the NBA,” Finberg wrote. “That seems like a solid move to me, which is why I believe Philadelphia would accept the deal if it’s ready to move on from George and look into the future.”

Again, it does not sound like a great deal on paper. But what’s on paper and what actually works next to Joel Embiid (in the event he can stay healthy) and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia could make this a win for everyone involved. So thumbs up on this idea.