$442.3 Million! Five Moves in One Night! Are the Days of Futility Over for the Sixers?

The destination for Paul George has finally been determined. Nearly 12 hours after the opening of free agency, at around 3 a.m. Eastern Time, George agreed to a new contract. Unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia 76ers signed George to a four-year, $212 million maximum deal. The mutual interest between the 76ers and George had been evident for some time. During the NBA Finals, Joel Embiid even openly recruited George on a talk show. During their meeting, the 76ers demonstrated their commitment with the owner, general manager, and legendary star Julius Erving all in attendance, offering a maximum contract that includes a player option for the final year.

We’ve analyzed George's situation before. Last season, he continued to perform at an All-Star level during the regular season, playing 74 games and averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, with shooting splits of 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from three, and 90.7% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage was an impressive 61.3%. However, George's playoff performance was underwhelming, averaging just 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals over six games, with shooting splits of 41.1% from the field, 36.7% from three, and 84.0% from the free-throw line, resulting in a true shooting percentage of 55.2%. The Clippers were eliminated in the first round by the Mavericks. While Kawhi Leonard's injury was a significant factor in the Clippers' early exit, George's inconsistency was also on display. He could score over 30 points in one game and then just 7 points in another, shooting a combined 10-for-31 in the final two games for a total of 33 points.

George’s Consistency and Future

Despite these issues, George remains a highly efficient, two-way All-Star forward with excellent off-ball abilities. Such players are valuable to any team, and if he were in his prime, at least half of the NBA's 30 teams would likely offer him a max contract. However, George is now 34 years old, and he may only be able to maintain All-Star level performance for another 1-2 years. This means the final two years of his contract carry a significant risk of overpayment, with George earning nearly $60 million at the age of 37.

The 76ers are in a unique situation. Over the past seven seasons, they have made the playoffs each year, reaching the conference semifinals five times but never advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. They are in desperate need of success. Last season, they amassed numerous expiring contracts, preparing to make a significant push this summer. The result is clear: they secured the top free agent likely to leave and the most high-profile player available. While the potential overpayment for George's final two years is concerning, the 76ers are focused on the immediate future, valuing the next two seasons more.

The 76ers' Other Moves

The signing of George is just one of five moves the 76ers made at the start of free agency. The other four are as follows:

1. Andre Drummond - Two-Year, Over $10 Million Contract: Drummond played for the Bulls last season, averaging 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes per game. Sometimes, his impact was even greater than that of Nikola Vučević. Drummond also had a brief stint with the 76ers before, making this contract valuable for providing a solid backup for Embiid.

2. Eric Gordon - One-Year Minimum Contract: Gordon played for the Suns last season, averaging 11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists with shooting splits of 44.3% from the field and 37.8% from three, resulting in a true shooting percentage of 58.0%. Signing a reliable scoring option and playoff contributor for the minimum is an excellent move.

3. Kelly Oubre Jr. - Two-Year, $16.3 Million Contract: Oubre had a down year in free agency last season and signed a minimum deal but managed to restore his value. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists last season, with a playoff average of 13.2 points and a true shooting percentage of 57.4%. Signing a 28-year-old peak performer as the team's fourth scoring option is a smart move.

4. Tyrese Maxey - Five-Year, $204 Million Extension: This move was a no-brainer. It’s worth noting that since Maxey missed out on All-NBA honors last season and didn't trigger the supermax extension, the 76ers saved $40 million, easing potential salary cap issues over the next five years.

Including these four moves and George’s signing, the 76ers have committed a total of $442.3 million this summer. But their work isn’t finished. They still need to consider whether to extend Buddy Hield and continue searching for reliable players in free agency.

Building a Competitive Roster

Analyzing the current 76ers roster, the confirmed starters are Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and likely Kelly Oubre Jr. Key reserves include Eric Gordon, Paul Reed, and Andre Drummond. This lineup has the potential to compete with top Eastern Conference teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks. The days of falling short may finally come to an end next season.

Philadelphia's aggressive moves in free agency demonstrate their commitment to ending their playoff disappointments. With the addition of George and other strategic signings, the 76ers are positioning themselves for a serious championship run. The pressure is on, and expectations are high, but the 76ers’ front office has shown they are all-in on making the necessary moves to achieve success. Only time will tell if these efforts will pay off and if the 76ers can finally break through to become Eastern Conference champions and beyond.