George joins Embiid with 76ers as NBA free agency heats up: reports
Paul George, at right guarding Joel Embiid, will become a new teammate of the Cameroonian star on the Philadelphia 76ers in a new NBA free agent deal, according to multiple reports
Paul George, a nine-time NBA All-Star forward, has agreed to a four-year deal worth $212 million with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to multiple reports on Monday as free agency began.
The 34-year-old playmaker has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals a game over 867 career contests in 14 seasons for Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, who he left behind last weekend after five seasons.
NBA clubs have a signing moratorium on finalizing all contracts until Saturday, so it's left to media reports to chart the moves that cannot yet become official.
George's coming to terms was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Athletic and ESPN through unnamed sources.
The 76ers have not advanced beyond the Eastern Conference semi-finals since 2001 but might have their best chance with George joining All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and Cameroonian star center Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player.
Multiple reports on Monday also had Maxey signing a five-year maximum contract extension worth $204 million. Maxey averaged 25.9 points and 6.2 assists for the Sixers last season.
George declined a $48.8 million deal for next season with the Clippers to test his value on the free agency market.
The 76ers also reportedly have struck a two-year deal worth just over $10 million with center Andre Drummond, a 12-year NBA veteran and five-seasons league rebounding leader.
Tobias Harris, a forward who played the past six seasons in Philadelphia, is reportedly off to the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal worth $52 million.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein, according to multiple reports, will leave New York for a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also reportedly struck deals with reserves Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.
js/iwd