Sixers center Joel Embiid and Clippers forward Paul George appeared together on ABC’s “NBA Countdown” program Friday ahead of Game 4 of the Finals, prompting speculation that there could be mutual interest in a Philadelphia team-up this summer, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Hopefully, this offseason we find a way to get better and add some pieces,” Embiid said, while shooting a meaningful glance in the direction of George, who was seated next to him.
George, 34, has a $48.8MM player option for the 2024/25 season, and the Sixers could easily carve out maximum-salary cap space. George and the Clippers have yet to come to terms on a new contract extension deal. While the 6’10” forward, a nine-time All-Star, remains a pretty lethal two-way threat, he has struggled with injury issues over the past several seasons.
Pompey writes that, should George become available in free agency, the Sixers think a trio of George, Embiid and All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey could be enough to help the team compete for championship hardware in 2024/25.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., an unrestricted free agent this summer, has signed with CAA to represent him, the agency announced (via Twitter). The 6’7″ swingman enjoyed a solid debut season with Philadelphia on a veteran’s minimum contract. He played so well, in fact, that he seems to be in line for a major raise this summer. Across 68 games (52 starts), he averaged 15.4 points on a .441/.311/.750 slash line, plus 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks.
- A 122-84 Game 4 massacre in their Finals series with the Mavericks felt like déjà vu to the Celtics, notes Steve Buckley of The Athletic. Dallas, with its back against the wall trailing 3-0 in the series, responded in a huge way, and looks to have some fight left after all. Boston found itself in an 0-3 hole last season, in the Eastern Conference Finals, to the Heat. The Celtics managed to make it a series, winning the next three straight to push Miami to a Game 7, which the Heat won. “A year ago this time, we were down 0-3 and we were essentially fighting for our lives,” All-NBA Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “So very short answer, yeah, we understand what it’s like from their point of view, and you know, they came out super aggressive.”
- In case you missed it, Celtics All-Defensive guard Derrick White is looking like a favorite to replace injured All-NBA Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard on Team USA in next month’s Paris Olympics, should Leonard not recover in time. White could work out a contract extension this summer to stay with Boston. A strong showing for Team USA could help strengthen his case.
They had mic’s set up on the floor all around Embiid in anticipation of Perk or George getting out of their chairs too fast
This is the month,
it is essential that stars find and recruit free agents who can fit well with the team
Recruiting free agent stars is the key to success now.
Example:
LeBron recruited AD.
Father Brunson recruited son Brunson
It’s time for LeBron to go out everyday and recruit. Starting with dinner …
Lowry
Kevin Love
Lonzo Ball
DeRozan (SNT)
Paul George (SNT)
Communicate with GMs first.
Offer MLE, Room Exception etc ….
Re George to Philly – who cares ?
Both Joel & George on same team would cripple Sixers with injury history…I hate sixers, so I’d love to see this happen… BUT REALLY, who cares?
More than care about this boring championship series I would guess tuck. Let the off season begin asap.
PG is not making 76ers that much better. They blow all the cap on Embiid, Maxey and PG they are not winning. They should use the cap on good players that are not looking to get max think about Caruso type players.
For regular season
My projections on 2024-25
Lakers 56 wins (next big thing is 2031 unprotected First)
76ers 49 wind (due to injury, comparable to Suns)
Nonsense. A starting lineup of Embiid, Maxey George, You and let’s say your boyfriend could win 50 in the east my friend. Horrible take on your part.
Not if George and Embiid both miss 20+ games. George hadn’t stayed this healthy since 2018. I wouldn’t bet on him to continue remaining relatively healthy the older he gets considering he couldn’t do it in his prime.
My projection on Kelly Oubre
2 years $27 million MLE
Top 20 free agents will have overpaid contracts. Let’s start to enjoy overpaid contracts. This is good summer.
Morey has no choice but to offer PG a max. Show he’s doing something. Don’t see LA letting him walk. DeM DeR could fit Sixer team also. Also be cheaper.
If 76ers sign
George + Oubre = $212M and 27M = $239 million
Hartenstein + Monk + Derrick Jones = $100M +100M + $30m = $230 million
Note
Mavs could offer him $5.0 million via the taxpayer midlevel exception or clear salary to unlock the non-taxpayer midlevel to pay him up to $12.9 million to start.
???????????????
Stop it with these oft injured stars.
Sixers should go for depth instead, retain KO, Hield, Melton, Lowry ….. get Miles Bridges, Hayward and more shooting.
Compare to Warriors Hamptons 5
In July 1: 76ers make offer to George
In July 5: Hamptons 5
Steve Balmer
Frank
Kawhi
Harden
George
Yes, sixers need depth, mucho shooting, perimeter D, back up center because Joel will be hurt, love Bridges on sixers, resign KO, resign Hield, Derrick Jones JR…. MONK?— 4 guards, Maxey, Hield, monk, KO at 2 or 3….. Haywood at value MLE…
Is Tobias worth the midlevel to some team.
Harris is OK in regular season, but in playoffs he disappears… this past playoffs, he was non existent… 2021 John Collins of Hawks got a big contract against Sixers & Harris… YES, some team will persue him…. a Detroit, or some team that’s in consequential… Hopefully a young team who is trending won’t tie up payroll with him…
That was pretty funny, I mean Embiid basically stole headlines from the Mavs.
Would be interesting to see if PG13 would take a lower starting salary of like 40M to give the Sixers about 25M to build out the roster.
40-45-50-55 4/190 is still higher than what has been reportedly offered, if they won’t go past the 3/153M that Kawhi got. Also they could give him an out every year, make them all player options.
With 25M left over they could target KCP, would take pressure off of PG13 on the defensive side.
They keep 16 and draft Devin Carter. If he isn’t there, I would think about moving that pick for a low dollar figure guy like Kispert, already reported the Wiz would move him for a FRP. Maybe Tari Eason or Tate could be available pending Houstons picks. Moses Moody. Someone of that ilk… if I couldn’t get a better veteran making 12M or less.