Paul George has signed a four-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, worth $212 million, with a player option for the final season in 2027-2028, sources revealed.
This move reunites George with the Eastern Conference, where he will join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to challenge the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.
George and his agent, Aaron Mintz, met with the 76ers' contingent, including owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand, and Julius Erving, in Los Angeles to finalize the deal. Peter Dinwiddie, a familiar face and friend of George's from their time with the Indiana Pacers, was also present.
George's signing comes after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the LA Clippers, where he spent the past five seasons.
Despite being a nine-time All-Star, George's five-year stint with the Clippers has come to an end. He averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over 263 regular-season games with the Clippers.
However, the Clippers and George failed to agree on a new deal, with George seeking a four-year contract and the Clippers offering three.
The 76ers' new big three - Embiid, Maxey, and George - boasts an impressive roster balance, featuring an explosive lead guard, an elite two-way wing player, and a dominant big man.
"Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him," the Clippers said in a statement. "Over that span, he went to three All-Star Games, made the most 3-pointers in franchise history, and helped lead the team to a place it had never been. His performances in Games 5 and 6 against Utah in 2021 won't be forgotten by anyone associated with the Clippers."
"We traded a lot to pair Paul and Kawhi [Leonard], and in exchange, we had five seasons of contention. Even though we fell short of our ultimate objective, we appreciate the chances we had with Paul."
The 76ers' contingent, including owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand, and Sixers legend Julius Erving, met with George and his agent, Aaron Mintz, in Los Angeles to seal the deal. Peter Dinwiddie, a familiar face and friend of George's from their time with the Indiana Pacers, was also present.
George's impressive career statistics include 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 263 regular-season games with the Clippers. He joins the 76ers as one of the NBA's preeminent wing players, with nine All-Star appearances and six All-NBA selections.
"Paul George is one of the NBA's preeminent wing players, and we're thrilled to have him join our team," said 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey. "His ability to score, pass, and defend at an elite level makes him a perfect fit for our roster."
The 76ers also signed shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year, $16.3 million deal, and reached agreements with veteran guard Eric Gordon and center Andre Drummond on Sunday, sources said.
