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Paul George Looks Like a Max-Contract Guy For the First Time in a Sixers Uniform
By Sean Barnard
Published:
Daryl Morey and the Sixers organization played some major salary cap chess two summers ago to carve out an additional max contract slot in free agency. They used this to sign Paul George on a four-year, $212 million deal to keep him with the organization through the 2027-28 season.
The nine-time All-Star suited up for 41 games last season, posting averages of 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, in a season that took a turn much beyond his control. Things changed this year when George was bopped with a 25-game suspension for a violation of the NBA’s drug policy. He was held out from January 31st to March 23rd, leaving the Sixers to tread water without him and Joel Embiid for the bulk of this stretch and costing his own pockets roughly $11.7 million.
This felt like a sink-or-swim moment for the Sixers’ outlook on the season and for George’s tenure in Philadelphia. In the wider scale of his time with the Sixers, the microscope has not been on him nearly as much as one would expect, given the magnitude of talent he is and the production his contract commands. But with George sidelined, the Sixers managed to scrap their way to a 13-12 record and remain right in the Eastern Conference mix.
Even more exciting has been the version of George that has returned since his suspension. Across his first four games played, the four-time All-Defensive team member is posting averages of 28.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 steals while shooting 51.9% from the field and 42.6% on three-point attempts. He exploded for a Sixers’ career-high 39 points in the previous victory over the Wizards on an impressive 15-for-22 shooting.
Beyond just the raw stats, George possesses a level of physical pop that has not been seen in the past two seasons. He looks eager to attack undersized players with his physicality when the matchup arises and has punished defenders at a regular rate.
Since he first arrived in Philadelphia, George has been as eager as any player I have ever seen to discuss his physical and mental well-being. This is one of the first talking points he leans on in just about every media availability, and has been this way since he arrived here. While the 25-game absence was a major hurdle to this team having a chance to build chemistry and learn to play together, George is very clearly reaping the benefits of the additional rest. It is still not acceptable for a player who has been around the league as long as George to have a slip-up of this magnitude, but it is not a far leap to call it a blessing in disguise, given the current context of this team.
Any conversations regarding the outlook of this Sixers team must start with the hope that Embiid and George will be healthy for a playoff run. Tyrese Maxey continues to lead the NBA in minutes and has served as the Sixers’ ironman while ascending to an All-NBA quality player. The organization also deserves credit for painting a brighter future by finding his perfect backcourt complement in V.J. Edgecombe, who also continues to improve at a rate well beyond any reasonable expectations. This backcourt duo is sure to be a problem for the rest of the NBA for the next decade.
But any hopes for this season are dependent on the aging stars still having enough life in their legs for a postseason run. For the first time across his Sixers’ tenure, George is showing clear evidence that he has this in the tank.
Any grading for this iteration of this Sixers team must currently be listed as incomplete. On paper, it still makes complete basketball sense to think positively of the trio of Maxey, George, and Embiid. Edgecombe has been an awesome addition to this core, and the Baylor product has largely served as the glue of this starting unit when at full strength, which is an extremely uncommon ability for a rookie. Players like Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow, and Justin Edwards have each shown some reason for belief in why they can be stars in their respective roles, and each fit much more cleanly when playing next to the stars.
Embiid still remains at the forefront of the conversation for the Sixers’ outlook. But this is still the same Paul George that was once going toe-to-toe with LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals and played a leading role in bringing the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals in 2020-21. He was brought in to be a ceiling raiser on this Sixers team and to play a leading role in them breaking through the second-round barrier. If the version of him he showed over the past four games is here to stay, there should be confidence that this can be the case.
One high-level playoff run can paint you in immortality in Philadelphia. For Paul George, he holds this exact opportunity. All memories of a drug suspension, ill-timed quotes, and underwhelming stat lines to this point will all be forgotten if he seizes this exact opportunity. The ball is now in George’s court to do exactly this.
Sean Barnard has covered the Philadelphia 76ers and general Philly Sports for over six years in a variety of roles and for multiple outlets. Currently works as a Content Writer for DraftKings Network, Sixers/NBA Insider for Philadelphia's Fox Sports the Gambler, and co-host of Sixers & Phillies Digest on Youtube. Forever Trusting the Process.