Sixers One Step Closer to Signing Their Dream Free Agent Target
By Jovan Alford
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the few teams that people around the NBA expect to make a splash move in free agency. The 76ers will have a ton of cap space to add a premier playmaker to play alongside the All-Star duo of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
One potential free agency option is Los Angeles Clippers star forward Paul George, who has been constantly connected to Philadelphia since the Clippers' postseason run ended in the first round to the Dallas Mavericks.
George and the Clippers have yet to agree on an extension, which is not good, given that free agency is right around the corner. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported some shocking news about George and the Clippers on the “Pat McAfee Show” this week, which will make the Sixers’ front office ecstatic.
Sixers Rumors: Paul George, Clippers Not on the Same Page
Windhorst said on McAfee that the two sides are “currently not on the same page” and that the Sixers and Orlando Magic have an interest in the veteran forward. Windhorst also mentioned how George could opt into his contract and get traded to the team of his choice, where the Clippers could get some value in return.
However, one would expect that George would rather go out into free agency and see what type of deal he could get since the Clippers haven’t been too keen on offering him the max.
As for the Sixers, this is a pivotal offseason for Daryl Morey and the front office, as they finally have James Harden, Tobias Harris, and Ben Simmons’ contracts off the books, which have hamstrung their roster decisions over the last few seasons.
The Sixers need a reliable third scoring option to pair with Maxey and Embiid, especially since they saw how ineffective Harris was over the latter half of his Sixers’ tenure. George isn’t quite the perfect fit, but he’s an upgrade as he scored 22.6 points per game on 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc this season.
If George can average at least 20-plus points per game next season, which he’s done for the last nine years, it will help out Embiid a ton and hopefully get the Sixers past the second round of the playoffs.
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