Paul George is one of only two players (Jimmy Butler is the other) to have averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals in at least 250 games over the last five seasons. | Photo (c) NBA
The biggest domino fell to the City of Brotherly Love.
Paul George set the basketball world on a frenzy after reportedly signing to the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212 million contract on the opening day of the 2024 NBA Free Agency, per NBA insider NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
In Philly, George will join a pair of star players in 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey, making the Sixers one of the biggest threats in the Eastern Conference.
The move to the 76ers ended the 34-year-old’s five-year with the Clippers. He now heads back to the East in hopes of helping Philadelphia end a 31-year-title drought.
Last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 three-pointers made, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting a career-best 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from deep.
The NBA community once again voiced out their reactions on X (formerly Twitter) to George's shocking move that prompted current and former players and fans to jive in the conversation.
Embiid immediately expressed his excitement upon hearing the arrival of PG-13.
“HERE WE GO!!!!.” the Sixers big man said in a tweet.
Former Sixer Patrick Beverly also shows love to his ex-teammate in George. The two spent two seasons playing for the Clippers from 2019 to 2021. The veteran guard also played 47 games for the Sixers last season before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“PG go love Philly 🔥🔥🔥🔥,” Pat Bev tweeted.
Philadelphia native and 2004 NBA champion Rasheed Wallace also gave his thoughts on George joining Embiid and the Sixers.
"Ring season, fellas,” Wallace said.
Several fans on X credited Embiid's recruiting skills for landing George as both appeared on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” earlier this month during the NBA Finals.
Perhaps Embiid laid the groundwork that night to bring George to Philly and complete a new Big Three along with Maxey.
One fan predicted that the new-look Sixer will finish as the no.5 seed in the 2024–25 season.
Beside George, the Sixers also keep Maxey for the future after reportedly signing on a to five-year, $204 million extension per reports.
The Beard stays in LA
Meanwhile, George's former teammate in James Harden is staying with the Clippers on a two-year, $70 million deal, multiple reports confirmed.
Harden, the 2018 NBA MVP, averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists last season for the Clippers and took on an unfamiliar role as the third scoring option behind Leonard and George.
The Clippers finished fourth place in the West behind a 51-31 record before a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
The 34-year-old played 72 games for the Clippers, the first time he's played more than 68 games since the 2018-19 season.