Sixers target Paul George details James Harden’s impact on his 2024 NBA free agency decision and what he’s looking for in a team

With the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA season, attention now turns to free agency, and the Sixers are expected to be active spenders due to their cap situation and desire to build a contender around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

The momentum for Paul George signing with Philadelphia has recently increased, but an obstacle may arise, and it’s quite fitting given the players who used to be on the Sixers roster and a few more that they’re hoping to bring back for the 2024-25 season.

James Harden could cost the Sixers Paul George

James Harden and Daryl Morey’s falling out could affect the 76ers potential pursuit of Paul George.

Paul George: “Believe it or not, players talk. And then reputations go around, like, ‘Hey man, I don’t know about going to this place, because they… [shoot]. Watch your back, you… pic.twitter.com/uT3wb4fAMD

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 19, 2024

Everyone remembers the summer of 2023 when James Harden publicly criticized Daryl Morey, the President of Basketball Operations for the Sixers. Harden, who had a strong relationship with Morey during their time in Houston, called him a “liar” twice while visiting China.

Harden was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Obviously, the connection here is the fact that Harden and George were teammates on the Clippers last season, so it’s not surprising to believe that “James The Rat” cautioned George about signing with Philadelphia.

It’ll be intriguing to see how things unfold for George this summer.

George had a few other noteworthy things he said on his podcast. While it’s not the biggest indicator of what he might do in free agency, it does give you an idea of how he’s approaching this summer.

“I mean, for sure, contributing to winning basketball. But I mean, at this point, I’m not even necessarily, like, it’s not even about like, you know, people saying chasing a championship. It’s not that, but it’s playing the right style of basketball is what I’m chasing.”

So, take that for how you will. But at this moment, the Sixers need to be doing everything they can to add championship pieces. Whether that’s Paul George on a max contract or they take a different path, what they can’t do is completely strikeout.

The clock is officially ticking for Daryl Morey, and it’s “put up or shut up” time.

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