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0 Free agent forward Paul George has agreed on a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN early Monday morning.
George’s deal — which sources said includes a player option on the final season in 2027-28 — brings him back to the Eastern Conference to partner with MVP center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in pursuit of upending the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
George and his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA, met in Los Angeles with a 76ers contingent that included owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and Sixers legend Julius Erving, sources said.
The Sixers even brought a front office executive, Peter Dinwiddie, who is a familiar face and friend of George’s from their years together with the Indiana Pacers, sources said.
Paul George (left) with Kawhi Leonard Photo Courtesy: Los Angeles Times
The meeting came on the heels of months of unsuccessful negotiations between George and the LA Clippers on a deal to stay in his Southern California home.
Paul George guards Derrick Jones Photo Courtesy: AP
Embiid, Maxey and George were All-Stars last season and form one of the most formidable big threes in recent NBA history — featuring an ideal roster balance among an explosive lead guard in Maxey, an elite two-way wing player in George and a dominant big man in Embiid.
George, a 34-year-old nine-time All-Star, spent the past five seasons with the Clippers and averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals over 263 regular-season games with LA.
Joel Embiid Photo Courtesy: Fox News
Now George will be hoping to reach that ultimate objective — winning an NBA championship — alongside Embiid and Maxey in Philadelphia. George’s arrival could give the Sixers the firepower to take on the Celtics in the East.
Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after scoring (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
One important development late Sunday for George, sources said: the Sixers’ agreement on a two-year, $16.3 million deal with shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. The 76ers also reached agreements with veteran guard Eric Gordon and center Andre Drummond on Sunday, sources said.
