The Philadelphia 76ers are off to an encouraging start this season, but most people probably won’t feel comfortable viewing them as true championship contenders. There are still far too many red flags with this selection, including the ongoing mystery surrounding Paul George and what he will look like when he returns to the court.
George has three years left on his contract, including this season, with a player option for his senior year. However, 76ers fans have already called for his massive deal to be moved. Given the way he played last campaign, the front office would struggle to find a willing taker for his services. But luckily that would be possible more teams in hard-sell mode this year that could put them amenable to a deal to acquire the nine-time All-Star.
That said, if the 76ers go on that escapade to find a buyer for George, they will have to give up significant to significant assets to sweeten the pot. But in regards to the former All-Star himself, he literally doesn’t have to do anything, plain and simple.
Paul George needs to stand still before the 76ers can trade him
George’s body of work last season is clearly something that won’t appeal to all teams. He certainly wasn’t max contract caliber in 2024-25, and combined with his ongoing injury concerns, the 76ers could essentially have an untradable asset.
This is where his pedigree matters. Teams likely took constructive note of the fact that George’s injuries hampered him significantly last season, raising the real possibility that that season’s performance was viewed as an aberration. Actually, given his playing style, there is plenty of room for him to at least become a top-level starter again.
That’s why the 76ers need to act quickly if they want to trade him. This is speculative, but the status quo could be that George is still viewed as a high-caliber starter who is just one full season removed from a season in which he set career highs across the board in shooting on the rocks during his last campaign with the Clippers.
If Philly drafts George as soon as possible and he still struggles with such a controlling and widely desired skill, teams will no longer entertain the thought of trading for George, if only as a matter of a salary dump.
It’s starting to feel like Paul George had already overstayed his welcome with the 76ers. Sure, he hasn’t had a real and fair chance to show himself yet, but this team is already built to work around things without him involved. So a trade should definitely be in the cards for the front office.
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