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The Philadelphia 76ers’ $212M Gamble: Paul George’s Impact and the Road Ahead

NBA access_alarms2025-05-16 17:09:09 visibility12 text_decrease title text_increase

Table of Contents

Why This Deal Happened

The Philadelphia 76ers shocked the NBA by signing nine-time All-Star Paul George to a four-year, $212 million contract. This bold move pairs the 34-year-old forward with MVP center Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey, creating what could be the league's most dangerous trio. But there's more to this deal than star power:

Immediate Upgrade

George brings exactly what Philly needs:

Reliable three-point shooting (38.5% career)
Elite perimeter defense (4x All-Defensive Team)
Playmaking skills (5.2 assists per game last season)

These qualities should reduce Embiid's workload and create better shots for Maxey.

Negotiation Breakdown

The Clippers reportedly lowballed George in contract talks, with sources calling their offer "insulting." Philadelphia seized this opportunity, even getting help from rapper Lil Dicky in their recruiting pitch.

The Philadelphia 76ers' $212M Gamble: Paul George's Impact and the Road Ahead

Real Concerns Remain

While exciting, this deal comes with major questions:

Health Risks

George's recent injury history raises red flags:

21 games missed last season with knee/groin issues
Past surgeries on both legs
Embiid's own injury problems (34 games missed last year)

The Sixers' 19-29 start last season shows how quickly things can fall apart.

Salary Cap Crunch

Philadelphia's payroll will hit $195 million next year:

George: $51.7 million
Embiid: $55.2 million
Maxey: $37.9 million

This leaves little room to fix weaknesses like bench depth.

Making It Work

For this gamble to pay off, three things must happen:

Health First

Both George and Embiid need to play at least 65 games each. The team plans to manage their minutes carefully during the regular season.

Maxey's Leap

The 23-year-old guard must improve his playmaking and defense. If he becomes an All-NBA player, the Big Three becomes truly unstoppable.

Smart Moves

GM Daryl Morey signed veterans Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry, but more is needed. Trading Tobias Harris' $39 million expiring contract could bring crucial role players.

Final Verdict

This high-risk move makes Philadelphia instant contenders but comes with expiration dates. If healthy, George-Embiid-Maxey could dominate the East for 2-3 years. If injuries strike again, this could become the NBA's worst contract by 2026. The clock starts now.