While Game 4 of the NBA Finals may have left a whole lot to be desired in terms of on-court drama, off the court up in the 100's section of American Airlines Center, one of the biggest impending free agency battles of the NBA's offseason was starting to heat up. Scheduled to make an appearance on ESPN's NBA Countdown ahead of the game was Los Angeles Clippers star — and possible 2024 unrestricted free agent — Paul George, who lended his services to ESPN for Game 3 as well. But joining George and the usual NBA Countdown crew was Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Joel Embiid's appearance alongside Paul George immediately sparked many hoops fans to wonder about the potential long-rumored scenario where Paul George would opt out of the final year of his deal with the Clippers in order to sign with Philadelphia, especially since the NBA Countdown crew just barely stopped short of instructing Embiid to undress George on the spot and force him into a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. Anything for the ratings, right? But it turns out, Joel Embiid's inclusion on NBA Countdown was not a premeditated act. It was a spur of the moment decision that Embiid made when he was informed that his potential 2024-25 running mate was in the building.
“So it seems like the story is that Joel Embiid was in the building for the NBA Finals with Josh Harris and ran into Tim Bontemps. Tim told Joel that Paul George was on the pregame show and Joel said he would go on too without an invite,” tweets Philadelphia 76ers insider Sean Barnard.
This is not the first time that Embiid and the 76ers have been accused of tampering. In 2021, 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey was hit with a $75,000 fine for a tweet regarding Stephen Curry. One year later, the 76ers were stripped of multiple 2nd round draft picks for violating tampering rules while in pursuit of PJ Tucker and Danuel House Jr. in free agency. Even Joel Embiid's decision to play for Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics was met with skepticism from fans who believed it nothing more than a recruiting tactic. But if Paul George is Philadelphia's big prize this summer, and all the 76ers need to do is forfeit a couple of future 2nd rounders to get him, that's nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
How realistic is Paul George to the 76ers?
The Philadelphia 76ers' pursuit of Paul George this summer has been one of the worst-kept secrets around the league for months. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor has stated that according to sources close to Philadelphia, landing George in free agency is the 76ers “plan A” this summer. And given how the Clippers have handled negotiations with Paul George thus far, it feels like it's a distinct possibility that this will be the eventual outcome.
Paul George has a $48.7 million player option for next year, but the expectation around the league is that PG will decline that option and become an unrestricted free agent. If that were the case, the Clippers would be able to pay George $221 million over four years, however, sources around the league have said that the Clips are unwilling to pay George more than $152.4 million over three years, which is the deal they signed Kawhi Leonard to. This is where the Philadelphia 76ers enter the equation.
Armed with loads of cap space this summer, the 76ers would be able to sign Paul George to a four year deal worth $212 million this summer, allowing him to head to the weaker Eastern Conference and form a championship-caliber trio with Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey. From a basketball perspective, and even from a money perspective, the obvious move seems to be to head to Philadelphia. But George has been stubborn in the past, repeatedly stating his desire to play in his home state of California.
Ultimately, the ball is in Paul George's court, but the 76ers will be ready and eager to throw as much money as they can at PG if he's receptive.
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