Philadelphia 76ers land star Paul George on colossal four-year/$212 million contract

For the first time in what seems to be forever, the Philadelphia 76ers have landed the best star available in free agency. Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers and will ink a four-year/$212 contract with the 76ers as he’s set to join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Woj reported that George and his camp met with 76ers’ Daryl Morey, Josh Harris, and Elton Brand along with franchise legend Julius Erving. Sixers even brought a front office executive, Peter Dinwiddie, who is a familiar face and friend of George’s from their years together with the Indiana Pacers.

Paul George’s impact on 76ers’ salary cap

According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Paul George’s multi-year annual salary will raise. George will earn $49.2 million in 2024-2025, $51.7 million in 2025-2026, $54.1 million in 2026-2027, and a $56.6 million player option in 2027-2028. It’s worth noting that George will be 37 years old heading into the 2027-2028 season and his contract will include a player option.

With the Paul George signing, Bobby Marks estimates the 76ers to have approximately $9 million left in cap space, including Paul Reed’s $7.7 million salary being waived. Despite a plethora of signings, Philadelphia is lacking a starting power forward and with Nicolas Batum reportedly not returning to the 76ers, they’ll have to look else where to fill that void.

Waiving Paul Reed is already factored into my cap space projection. I've got Philadelphia with:

J. Embiid: $51.4M
P. George: $49.2M
T. Maxey: $13.0M cap hold (will re-sign max deal after)
A. Drummond: $4.8M
J. McCain: $4.0M cap hold (can sign whenever)
R. Council: $1.9M

That… https://t.co/WY7Aab6Ljn

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 1, 2024

Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported that Kelly Oubre Jr.’s new two-year contract came to fruition via the room mid-level exception, a tool that is available to teams like the 76ers, who were under the salary cap. He went on further to note that Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon were likely acquired with cap space as well and that the signings of Oubre and Gordon will likely be official when Philadelphia uses all their cap room.

What Paul George will bring to 76ers

Fresh off of a 2023-2024 campaign where he produced per-game consisting of 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, on 61.3% true-shooting (3.3% above league average) and 41.3% from downtown (7.9 nightly attempts), Paul George will serve as an excellent third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Paul George’s profound ability as a catch-and-shoot threat from the perimeter will be volatile when Maxey or Embiid find themselves swarmed by defender off the point-of-attack. As the third option, he’ll also carry less of a burden as a primary shot creator, which will help minimize his inevitable regression as George will turn 34 next season.

Paul George is still a two-way star…

66.5 eFG% on 5.0 catch & shoot FGA/g—one of the NBA’s most efficient off-ball scorers. Elite impact metrics, underrated playmaker, solid ISO efficiency, & deflections galore. Despite injury/age concerns he’s still the crown jewel of 2024 FA. pic.twitter.com/YEURrang9b

— NBA University (@NBA_University) June 30, 2024

While George isn’t the same freak athlete he once was, he’s still capable of scoring at all three levels, creating his shot off the bounce on occasion, while generating open looks for his teammates via his rim gravity.

George’s versatile offensive skillset is a seamless fit on the 76ers and in a reduced role as an offensive engine and high usage as a spot-up shooter, the forward will thrive in Philadelphia.

Whether Paul George deserves such a hefty contract will be thoroughly debated throughout the offseason, but it’s undeniable that George is the ideal two-way wing that the 76ers have been searching for since Jimmy Butler’s departure in 2019.

76ers need to fill out roster after Paul George signing

Philadelphia has done a solid job of adding rotational pieces around their newly-established big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.

However, there are still some noticeable holes on the roster. As previously mentioned, the 76ers are currently without a starting power forward and they’ll have to bring in a backup point guard and increase their forward depth as well.

A name that makes too much sense for Philadelphia is Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who seems to be available for trade as the Nets are on course for a rebuild following the Mikal Bridges trade.

Finney-Smith is set to make $14.9 million next season, so the 76ers could offer a package consisting of Paul Reed ($7.7 million for 2024-2025) and draft capital.

Acquiring Finney-Smith could put Philadelphia dangerously close to the first tax apron, which would kill their flexibity, but that may be something the front office has to live with if they’re to go all in.

If Philadelphia lands Paul George in free agency, I wouldn’t be surprised if Brooklyn checks in with them about Cam Johnson or Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Sixers have attractive future firsts between their own and the Clippers’ (2028, 2029 swap).

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) June 30, 2024

The 76ers could also go for veteran guard Kris Dunn for defensive purposes and slot him into along Tyrese Maxey in the starting lineup.

Dunn’s elite perimeter defense and his abilities as a facilitator would have a similar impact to Kyle Lowry, who could also reportedly very well return to Philadelphia. Dunn would likely sign for a minimum contract, which would be a bargain considering his two-way value.

Outside of Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr, the 76ers’ small forward depth is lacking a bit. As the roster stands, Oubre is projected to start at shooting guard, which would be a wonky fit next to George offensively due to Oubre’s subpar perimeter shooting.

Philadelphia should look to add in another rotational wing for cheap, but considering their more important positional needs, it’ll be a bit difficult.

Mandatory Credit: (jersey swap via @Maxeyera on Instagram)