There are mixed signals coming out of California about Paul George’s future with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Amid unsuccessful contract negotiations, tensions aren’t high enough to say there’s a dispute. However, other teams have taken notice of L.A.’s seeming unwillingness to pay George the maximum. As a result, the ones that’ll have money to burn this offseason are hot on his trail.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, two such teams are the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic:
“There are two teams right now they’re paying very close attention to Paul George, the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia
76ers, because both of them have the money to throw at him and have a need for a wing just like him, a veteran guy (sic).” — Ramona Shelburne
Magic, Sixers Hot on Paul George’s Trail
George heading down to Orlando for anything but a trip to Disney or the beach isn’t impossible to fathom. Nonetheless, it seems far less realistic than him taking money from the Sixers to star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Paul George to the Magic?
The Magic have two of the better player in the league in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
However, Orlando has only just emerged from the NBA dungeon. Yet, unlike the Oklahoma City Thunder or Minnesota Timberwolves, the Magic haven’t done it with a someone viewed as an MVP-level prospect. Indeed, Banchero’s coaches —namely former Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski —view him as such. However, that perspective hasn’t caught fire in the greater basketball world.
For comparison, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game in 2023-24. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Thunder leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander —a 2024 NBA MVP Award finalist —averaged 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.
Banchero is close. He’s just not there yet.
His performance in his first postseason appearance may enhance his stature among the NBA fan base. To that point, he’s averaging 24.8 points per game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the First Round. However, comparing his scoring average this postseason to either Edwards (31.0 points per game) or Gilgeous-Alexander (27.3 points per game), he’s still a bit below their standard.
It must be noted that Banchero is just 21 years old and in his second career season. That said, the 22-year-old Edwards and 25-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander are in their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively. Though this may make the Magic organization happy as it presents a favorable projection for Banchero’s future outlook, a star such as George may feel he’s a bit too green behind the ears. The 14-year NBA veteran is turning 34 years old on May 2.
Paul George to the Sixers?
The Sixers have last season’s MVP and this season’s MIP.
Among the most dominant big men in NBA history, Embiid has averaged at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1 steal per game over the past three seasons. His lack of durability and shot-selection, particularly in the playoffs, are concerning. Nonetheless, there are few players as capable of leading their team to victory night-in and night-out.
Maxey has transformed into a deadly offensive threat, averaging at least 20 points per game over the past two seasons. With Embiid limited by injury this postseason, he’s stepped up against the New York Knicks in their First Round series, averaging 32.4 points per game. A 23-year-old guard that’s growing as a playmaker on both ends, he’s an ideal third option.
At this point of their careers, a Big Three of Embiid, George, and Maxey is more talented than that of George, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. The Los Angeles Clippers do have better depth than the Sixers are currently projected to have. However, if Philadelphia can convince LeBron James to sign as a free agent, arguably only the Boston Celtics would have more attractive player personnel.
