Paul George is back in the Eastern Conference and Joel Embiid is surely very happy about it.
George will sign a four-year contract worth US$212 million with the 76ers of Philadelphia, a person told The Associated Press on Monday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalized by July 6, according to NBA rules.
It all came together within hours of the NBA’s free-agent market opening, but Embiid had already planted the seeds a few weeks ago. He and George appeared on TV together during the NBA Finals and the 76ers centerers had suggested he would like to see the star winger join him in Philadelphia.
It happened. The Los Angeles Clippers, now George’s former team, let it be known early Sunday that he would not be back with the team. It was only a matter of time before he came to terms with the 76ers.
George had a $48.8 million option on his contract for next season, but he decided not to exercise it in order to test the free-agent market, which opened Sunday night.
Aged 34, George averaged 22.6 points per game last season. It was the ninth straight campaign in which he averaged at least 20 points per game.
In the meantime. James Harden remains with the Clippers thanks to the two-year contract plus one year of option that he signed with the Californian troop.
Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star selection, averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists per game last season.
Elsewhere in the NBA, veteran point guard Chris Paul joins Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama with the San Antonio Spurs. He has signed a one-year deal.
Paul was released Sunday by the Golden State Warriors, who would have had to pay him $30 million next season. According to ESPN, the Spurs agreed to an $11 million contract with the 39-year-old veteran, who averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 58 games with the Warriors in 2023-24.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will bring his experience with the Orlando Magic. The two-time NBA champion finalized a three-year contract worth 66 million.
Veteran Kevin Love signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Miami Heat while veteran Andre Drummond joined the 76ers.ers under a two-year pact worth 10 million.