Apparently Joel Embiid’s recruitment of Paul George during the NBA Finals pregame wasn’t enough.
George has been linked to the 76ers as a potential free agent landing spot before the end of the playoffs, but interest between the sides has cooled, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ interest in pursuing Paul George has waned significantly in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft, sources say. @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2024
Officially, Philadelphia and George can’t talk or negotiate yet — under CBA terms, he can only negotiate with his current team, the Clippers, while talks with the 76ers could begin on June 30 — but in the NBA’s tampering world parties will have had at least some basic discussions at this point.
Philadelphia is looking for a high-level wing to slot between Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, someone who can help lift the 76ers to a title. Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey said after the season“I would say the biggest need is … someone on the wing who can play at a high level and perform in the playoffs.”
George said on his podcast this week that what matters most to him in free agency isn’t chasing a championship, but “playing the right style of basketball.”
Paul George on what he’s looking for in free agency and his future:
“Definitely contribute to winning basketball. I mean, at this point… It’s not even about… As people say, “chasing a championship.” It’s not like that. But playing the right style of basketball is… pic.twitter.com/N2TpSP9g2a
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 19, 2024
“I mean, I definitely contribute to winning basketball… People say, ‘chasing a championship.’ It’s not like that. But I strive to play the right style of basketball.”
What is the “right style of basketball” for George? Last season – alongside James Harden and Kawhi Leonard – he was an All-Star who averaged 22.6 points per game with his highest shooting efficiency ever (61.3 true shooting percentage), and although his usage rate was slightly lower, he had strong defensive performance. . George finished just two spots behind an All-NBA team this past season.
Why would the negotiations have failed?
George could be close to a deal to remain with the Clippers, which could be announced at any time.
It could be the number of years offered. It is understood that the Clippers only wanted to offer George, 34, a three-year warranty and he was looking for at least four. If Philly puts even three guaranteed years on the table, that could be a problem. The same goes for money: the Clippers’ offer was reportedly slightly under the cap and if the 76ers’ offer was in the same ballpark, that could give George pause.
George also said on his podcast that “players talk” about teams and organizations, and Harden has called Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey a liar and publicly berated him. Could Harden’s thoughts have influenced George?
Could another team with cap space looking for wing play and veteran shooting — hello Orlando — have jumped into the mix, and that cooled conversations with other teams?
Maybe this is all just the ebb and flow of the negotiations, maybe George and the 76ers will come back and make a deal.
However, it seems more likely that George and the 76ers will not reunite this summer.
