The Philadelphia 76ers opened up greater than $61 million in cap area this summer season in an effort to lure one other star to come back play alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. As NBA free company opened on Sunday night, there’s critical optimism that Philly is on the cusp of touchdown the highest participant in the marketplace.
The Sixers are “sturdy frontrunners” to land Paul George in free company, in accordance with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. George and the Los Angeles Clippers have “moved on” from each other in free company, in accordance with Woj, opening the door for George to affix a brand new group.
The Sixers are the one suitor for George forward of his Sunday night time assembly with Philadelphia, in accordance with Clippers reporter Legislation Murray.
Per supply … there’s an actual likelihood that Paul George will make his closing determination tonight. The expectation sooner or later is that he’ll select the Philadelphia 76ers.
There aren’t any different groups within the working for the time being.
— Legislation Murray (@LawMurrayTheNU) July 1, 2024
The Clippers have put out a press release on George’s departure even earlier than he formally indicators with a brand new group:
Clippers’ assertion on Paul George parting methods following a big hole in contract talks, exploring an opt-in and commerce situation and pleasure about new alternatives and higher flexibility below new CBA to discipline a “extremely aggressive group” transferring ahead: pic.twitter.com/Uajbail3Hk
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 1, 2024
The Clippers cited the extra punitive luxurious tax thresholds below the brand new CBA of their assertion on George’s exit. The specter of penalties for crossing the “second apron” additionally performed a job within the Denver Nuggets shedding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in free company.
The Clippers had reportedly provided George the same deal to Kawhi Leonard’s three-year, $153 million extension, however had been unwilling to go to 4 years. George is in search of a four-year max contract.
The Clippers agreed to a two-year, $70 million extension with James Harden as free company opened on Sunday.
Maxey is a restricted free agent this offseason, that means the Sixers have the flexibility to match any contract he receives. Maxey is anticipated to re-sign with the Sixers after the franchise takes its huge swings in free company.
George is 34 years outdated, and is coming off one other sturdy season with the Clippers the place he averaged 22.6 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per sport wiht 41.3 p.c capturing from three-point vary (on 7.9 makes an attempt per sport) and 90.7 p.c free throw capturing.
We’ve already seen the New York Knicks load as much as problem the Boston Celtics with a daring commerce for Mikal Bridges. Now that George is leaving the Clippers, it’s doable Philadelphia will kind a 3rd professional East contender.
