The phone kept ringing.
By the time the dust settled on July 1, 2024, the NBA landscape had shifted toward the East Coast in a way we haven't seen since the "Process" was just a hopeful whisper. Paul George to Sixers wasn't just a transaction; it was a $212 million statement of intent from Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia front office.
But honestly? Most people are looking at this all wrong.
The narrative immediately became about "building a Big Three." You've heard it a thousand times: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. While that’s true on paper, the real story of this signing is about fixing a five-year-old mistake. For years, the Sixers were haunted by the ghost of the Tobias Harris contract—a massive salary slot that never quite produced the "it" factor needed in May and June. By landing George, Philly didn't just add an All-Star. They replaced a secondary piece with a legitimate, two-way superstar who can actually carry the load when Embiid's knees decide to act up.
The Contract Nobody Wants to Talk About
Let’s get the numbers out of the way. It’s a four-year, $211,584,940 maximum contract.
That is a lot of money for a guy who is 34 years old. In fact, by the time we hit the 2027-28 season, George will be 37 and scheduled to make over $56.5 million on a player option. If you’re a Sixers fan, that number probably makes your stomach turn a little.
It’s a gamble. A huge one.
However, the reality of the NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is that "windows" don't stay open for long. The Sixers saw a chance to pair the reigning MVP (at the time) and a rising star in Maxey with one of the most versatile wings in history. George is a nine-time All-Star. He’s a guy who can shoot 40% from deep while guarding the opposing team's best player.
Basically, you pay the "age tax" at the end of the contract to get the championship production at the beginning.
Why Paul George to Sixers Actually Works (The Fit)
We’ve seen "Super Teams" fail before. Just look at the Phoenix Suns or the Brooklyn Nets experiment. So, why is this different?
It’s about the hierarchy.
In Los Angeles, George was often caught in a weird "1A and 1B" dynamic with Kawhi Leonard. In Philly, the roles are crystal clear. Embiid is the sun that the entire solar system revolves around. Maxey is the lightning-fast engine. Paul George? He’s the ultimate "connector."
- Floor Spacing: George is one of the best high-volume shooters in the league. Last year with the Clippers, he shot 41.3% from three. When Embiid gets doubled in the post, he now has a knockdown shooter who is 6'8" and can release over anyone.
- Secondary Playmaking: He takes the pressure off Maxey. If Maxey gets trapped, George can initiate the offense.
- Defensive Versatility: Nick Nurse loves to switch. George, even at 34, is a defensive mastermind who uses his length to disrupt passing lanes.
The fit is almost too perfect. Usually, when you add a star, you have to worry about "too many chefs in the kitchen." But George has spent his whole career playing alongside other alphas—Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard. He knows how to thrive without needing 30 shots a game.
The 2024-25 Season Reality Check
Now, let's talk about what actually happened once the ball tipped off.
The honeymoon phase didn't last forever. In the 2024-25 season, the "Big Three" struggled to stay on the floor at the same time. This is the part the national media loves to harp on. Paul George played 41 games. Embiid played even fewer.
When George was on the court, his numbers dipped. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. To the casual observer, that looks like a player who is "washed."
But if you watch the tape, you see a different story.
George was often playing without Embiid, meaning he was facing the defensive coverage meant for a #1 option. He was being asked to be "Indiana Pacers PG-13" again, but in his mid-30s. That’s not what he was signed for. He was signed to be the third option who destroys you when you’re worried about the other guys.
The advanced stats tell us that when the trio of Maxey, Embiid, and George actually shared the court, their net rating was elite. They were outscoring opponents by double digits per 100 possessions. The problem wasn't the talent; it was the "rhythm," a word George has used in almost every postgame interview since arriving in Philly.
Surprising Details from the Locker Room
There's a fun bit of trivia that often gets lost in the trade rumors: George reportedly wore an Allen Iverson jersey during some of the negotiations.
He grew up an AI fan. That connection to the city matters.
Unlike James Harden, who felt like a mercenary passing through, or Ben Simmons, who... well, we know how that ended... George seems to actually want to be the veteran leader this locker room was missing. He’s been vocal about mentoring VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain.
In late 2025, after a tough loss to the Nets, George took the podium and put the blame entirely on himself. "It's on me, sucks," he said. That level of accountability is rare for a superstar of his stature. It’s what has kept the locker room together even when the record was hovering around .500 early in the 2025-26 season.
Dealing with the "Washed" Allegations
It’s the favorite word of NBA Twitter: Washed.
Is Paul George the same guy who went toe-to-toe with LeBron James in 2013? No. Of course not. His average shot distance has increased to 18 feet. He isn't getting to the rim as often—only about 10% of his shots come from within 3 feet now.
But "less athletic" doesn't mean "less effective."
Look at what happened in January 2026. The Sixers went on a road trip, facing Dallas and Golden State. George stopped settling for the contested mid-range jumpers that plagued his first year in Philly. He started attacking the basket, drawing fouls, and suddenly, the floor opened up for everyone else.
As an expert who has watched his career trajectory from Fresno State to now, I can tell you that George is undergoing the "Vince Carter" or "Ray Allen" transition. He’s becoming a high-IQ specialist who picks his spots. If he can give the Sixers 18 points a night on efficient shooting, he’s doing his job.
📖 Related: James Braddock: Why the Cinderella Man Story Still Hits Different Today
What This Means for the Sixers' Future
The window is now.
Daryl Morey didn't sign George to win the 2028 championship. He signed him to win the 2025 or 2026 title.
The Eastern Conference is a gauntlet. You have the Celtics, who are a well-oiled machine, and the Knicks, who play like they're in a street fight. To beat those teams, you need "shot-makers." You need guys who can create something out of nothing when the shot clock is at 4 seconds.
That is Paul George.
Even with the injuries and the age concerns, the Paul George to Sixers move remains the only logical swing the franchise could have taken. Staying pat with Tobias Harris was a guaranteed second-round exit. Taking a chance on George gives you a ceiling that includes a parade down Broad Street.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Sixers this season, here is how you should actually evaluate this move:
- Stop looking at PPG: George’s success isn't measured in scoring titles. Look at his Three-Point Percentage and Defensive Win Shares. If those are high, the Sixers are winning.
- Monitor the "Trio" Minutes: Don't panic about the overall record. Pay attention to the record in games where Embiid, Maxey, and George all play at least 25 minutes. That is the only sample size that matters for the playoffs.
- The "Third Star" Transition: Watch for George to move into more of an off-ball role. If he's setting screens for Maxey or acting as a floor-spacer for Embiid, he's being utilized correctly.
- Health Management: Expect "load management." It’s annoying, but it’s the only way a 35-year-old wing makes it to the Conference Finals.
The move was a massive gamble, but in the NBA, "safe" gets you nowhere. The Sixers finally have a roster that fits. Now, it's just a matter of whether the stars can align—literally—on the court.
Next Steps: To get the most out of your analysis, keep an eye on the Sixers' defensive rating when Paul George and Joel Embiid are on the floor together without Tyrese Maxey. This "defensive-first" lineup is often what Nick Nurse uses to close out tight third quarters, and it’s the secret sauce to their late-game success. Check the injury report specifically for George’s "left knee" and "right groin" status, as those have been the recurring issues that dictate his aggressiveness on the offensive end. Until then, enjoy the ride—this is the most talented Sixers team of the 21st century.