The Philadelphia 76ers opened up greater than $61 million in cap house 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 severe optimism that Philly is on the cusp of touchdown the highest participant available on the market.
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 workforce.
The Sixers are the one suitor for George forward of his Sunday night time assembly with Philadelphia, in accordance with Clippers reporter Regulation Murray.
Per supply … there’s an actual probability that Paul George will make his remaining resolution tonight. The expectation sooner or later is that he’ll select the Philadelphia 76ers.
There aren’t any different groups within the operating in the intervening time.
— Regulation Murray (@LawMurrayTheNU) July 1, 2024
The Clippers have put out an announcement on George’s departure even earlier than he formally indicators with a brand new workforce:
Clippers’ assertion on Paul George parting methods following a big hole in contract talks, exploring an opt-in and commerce state of affairs and pleasure about new alternatives and better flexibility below new CBA to discipline a “extremely aggressive workforce” shifting 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 dropping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in free company.
The Clippers had reportedly supplied George an analogous deal to Kawhi Leonard’s three-year, $153 million extension, however had been unwilling to go to 4 years. George is searching for 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, which means the Sixers have the power to match any contract he receives. Maxey is predicted 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George is 34 years outdated, and is coming off one other sturdy season with the Clippers the place he averaged 22.6 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per sport wiht 41.3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 taking pictures from three-point vary (on 7.9 makes an attempt per sport) and 90.7 p.c free throw taking pictures.
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 potential Philadelphia will type a 3rd authentic East contender.
