Apparently, Joel Embiid’s on-air recruitment of Paul George during the NBA Finals pregame wasn’t enough.
George has been linked to the 76ers as a possible free agency landing spot since before the playoffs ended, but interest between the sides has cooled, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
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 heading into the NBA Draft. next week, sources say. @ElAthletic @Stadium.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2024
Officially, Philadelphia and George cannot talk or negotiate yet (under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, he can only negotiate with his current team, the Clippers, for now, while talks with the 76ers could begin on June 30), but in In the world of NBA manipulation, the parties will have had at least some preliminary discussions at this point.
Philadelphia is looking for a high-end wing to stand between Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, someone who can help lead the 76ers to a title. Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey said after the season“I would say the biggest need is… someone on the wing who can play and perform at a high level in the playoffs.”
George said on his podcast this week that what matters most to him in free agency is not chasing a championship but “playing the right style of basketball.”
Paul George on what he is looking for in free agency and his future:
“Without a doubt contributing to winning basketball. I mean, at this point… It’s not even about… As people say, “chasing a championship.” Like, it’s not that. But playing the right style of basketball is… pic.twitter.com/N2TpSP9g2a
-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 19, 2024
“I mean, they certainly contribute to winning basketball… People say, ‘We’re chasing a championship.’ Like, it’s not that. But what I’m after is to play the right style of basketball.”
For George, what is the “correct style of basketball”? Last season, along with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, he was an All-Star who averaged 22.6 points per game with his highest shooting efficiency (61.3 true shooting percentage), and although his usage rate decreased slightly, He had a strong defensive performance. . George finished just two spots behind making an All-NBA team last season.
Why might the negotiations have failed?
George could be close to a deal to stay with the Clippers, which could be announced at any time.
It could be the number of years offered. It is known that the Clippers only want to offer George, 34, three guaranteed years and he was looking for at least four. If Philadelphia also puts only three guaranteed years on the table, that could be a problem. The same goes for money, the Clippers’ offer was reported to be a little under the maximum and if the 76ers’ offer was in the same ballpark, that might give George pause.
George also said on his podcast that “players talk” about teams and organizations, and Harden has called Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey a liar and badmouthed him publicly. Could Harden’s thoughts have influenced George?
Could another team with cap space looking for veteran wing and shooting play have entered the mix (hello Orlando) and has that chilled conversations with other teams?
Maybe this is all just the ebb and flow of negotiations, maybe George and the 76ers will come back and work out a deal.
However, it most likely looks like George and the 76ers won’t reunite this summer.