Report: 76ers, Paul George agree to 4-year, $212M contract
The Philadelphia 76ers and free-agent forward Paul George have agreed to a four-year, $212-million contract, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal includes a player option for 2027-28, Wojnarowski adds.
The Los Angeles Clippers, George's former team, stated Sunday that there was a "significant" gap in contract negotiations and that the nine-time All-Star wasn't expected to return to the club.
George, 34, averaged 22.6 points with 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.1% last year over 74 games in his final season of a five-year tenure with the Clippers. He originally landed in L.A. via trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package that included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five first-round picks.
Over his 14-year career, George is averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 boards, and 3.7 assists while shooting 44% from the field and 38.5% from deep.
The Sixers have been busy in free agency thus far, also bringing in Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon while re-signing Kelly Oubre Jr. Entering Sunday, Philadelphia had just three players signed to its roster.
Philadelphia entered the 2023-24 campaign as championship hopefuls but ultimately flamed out in the first round in a tightly contested matchup against the New York Knicks. George will now form a Big Three in Philly alongside former MVP Joel Embiid and ascendant superstar Tyrese Maxey.
Much like Embiid, George has had his fair share of injury issues in recent years, suiting up in more than 56 games just once during his Clippers tenure. He's made the All-Star Game in all eight seasons he's played at least 74 contests.
The Orlando Magic had also expressed interest in the six-time All-NBA forward.