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Tag: Paul George

  • What to Expect From Sixers’ Season – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    What to Expect From Sixers’ Season – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Last year, the Sixers finished the season with the 7th seed in the Easter conference. Earlier in the season, they projected to finish with a much higher seed since they went 31-8 in games with Joel Embiid. Due to injury, Embiid missed most of the season so they finished with a 47-35 record. Now that Embiid wants to prioritize rest and load management, what kind of record can we expect them to have?

    Guaranteed Games without Embiid

    Embiid has stated that he will not play in back to backs ever in his career. This season the Sixers have 15 back to back games scheduled, and Embiid is already slated to miss the first three games. That totals up to 64 games played by itself with no additional injuries/soreness. We know Embiid will not stay healthy even with that limited schedule. Realistically, Embiid will probably miss another 10-15 games due to injuries and such. Maybe more if this knee thing is worse than their saying (which is extremely possible – maybe likely). Combining that with the back to backs brings us to around 57 games this season without any serious injuries. That’s a lot of games.

    How Will They Play Without Embiid?

    Like I said, the Sixers went 31-8 in the 39 games with him last year. That averages out to a record of 61-21 which would have put them at the two seed in the East.

    That being said, without Embiid, they went 16-27 in games without them. This resulted in them finishing with the seventh seed and almost missing the playoffs.

    If we translate that winning percentage (41.8%) into the 25 games that Embiid will hypothetically miss, and the 57 games that he hopefully plays in with last year’s percentage (74.2%), they would total up to a record of 52-30. That also would have put them at second in the conference last year.

    Obviously that is hypothetical math, but if they do the exact same thing as last year they will still contend heavily in the standings. They should do even better than that.

    Much Improved Roster

    With the signing of Paul George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele, Andre Drummond, and the (almost just as beneficial) loss of Tobias Harris, the Sixers should do better than they last year in games without Embiid. George specifically should be able to alleviate a lot of pressure on Embiid which could keep him healthier to play more games. If that happens, then the Sixers should be able to compete for a number one seed this season.

     

     

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    Collin Benjamin

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  • How Does This Sixers Team Compare to Last Year’s? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    How Does This Sixers Team Compare to Last Year’s? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Sixers have made the most noise in free agency this year than any other team. This has been the free agency that Sixers fans have waited on for many years. Now that the bulk of the moves are completed, how does this year’s team stack up to last year’s?

    Point Guard

    2023:

    • Kyle Lowry
    • Cam Payne
    • Patrick Beverly

    2024:

    • Kyle Lowry
    • Reggie Jackson
    • Jeff Dowtin Jr.

    As of now, the point guard position looks about the same caliber of last year. With the talent at other positions, the Sixers need veterans that can distribute the ball and not turn the ball over at the point guard position. With Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson, they should get that style of play. Jeff Dowtin Jr. is on a two-way contract, so he probably won’t see the floor too much unless there are some injuries.

    Some consider Tyrese Maxey a point guard, but with the addition of Reggie Jackson, him and Kyle Lowry should be taking the point, allowing Maxey to play at SG, his natural and more effective position.

    The PG position should remain very similar to last year.

    Shooting Guard

    2023:

    • Tyrese Maxey
    • Buddy Hield
    • Ricky Council IV
    • De’Anthony Melton
    • Jaden Springer

    2024:

    • Tyrese Maxey
    • Jared McCain
    • Eric Gordon
    • Ricky Council IV

    The Sixers revamped their SG position with a new young player (McCain) and a new vet (Gordon). Tyrese Maxey will take most of the minutes at this position and could improve even more since last year. If Maxey gets better – like he has in every season of his career – then this could be the Sixers’ strongest position on the team. He already won most improved player in his 4th year and now has bulked up quite a bit in the offseason. Maxey will be the Sixers’ X-factor.

    The Sixers also drafted Jared McCain this year. He is another undersized guard, but will have time to learn the game with Maxey ahead of him. There is no pressure for him to shine in the beginning of his NBA career which could help him grow.

    In the summer league, Ricky Council IV looked very good. He obviously belongs in a league above the G-league and could start making some plays in the NBA. He could become a good player for the Sixers or they could use him as a trade piece if he excels this year.

    Overall, the shooting guard position should look pretty good this year. If Maxey plays as well as last year (or better), then this will be a strong position for them and better than last year.

    Small Forward

    2023:

    • Robert Covington
    • Danuel House Jr.
    • KJ Martin
    • Kelly Oubre Jr.
    • Tobias Harris

    2024:

    • Kelly Oubre Jr.
    • Paul George
    • KJ Martin

    The biggest upgrade of the offseason came at this position with the acquisition of Paul George. Not many teams have a player with Paul George’s combination of scoring and defensive versatility. Paul George would upgrade the SF position on most of the teams in the NBA.

    Not only does Paul George add a ton of skill, but it may be even more noteworthy that Tobias Harris is gone. Tobias was a non-factor in the majority of games that he played in. Losing him and his near-max contract is addition by subtraction. That allowed the Sixers to go out and make big moves in the free agent market.

    Kelly Oubre could start for the Sixers, but it’s also possible that he may come off the bench. Kelly Oubre’s skill and energy off the bench will certainly provide scoring and defense for the team. We will have to wait and see what Nick Nurse decides the starting lineup will be.

    Power Forward

    2023:

    • Nicolas Batum
    • Marcus Morris
    • PJ Tucker

    2024:

    Losing Nicolas Batum is a bummer, but nobody should ever rely on a player with his skillset and age anyway. He had great defensive instincts, entry passes for Embiid, and could shoot the ball well. He will be missed, but the additions in other areas should make up for his loss.

    There’s not much depth at this position right now, but Paul George can move over to the PF if needed. Depending on the lineups, expect to see George at the 4 throughout the season at different times.

    Caleb Martin is a very underrated signing by the Sixers. He’s a hustle player that doesn’t need to score in volume and will provide solid defense and peskiness. Not only that, but he has historically raised his game in the playoffs which will come in handy for a team that lacks the mentality in the postseason. He’s undersized for his position, but having a strong defensive anchor like Embiid will help cancel that out.

    With Martin and George sharing responsibilities at the PF spot, the Sixers should look improved in this position.

    Center

    2023:

    • Joel Embiid
    • Mo Bamba
    • Paul Reed

    2024:

    • Joel Embiid
    • Andre Drummond
    • Adem Bona

    If Embiid’s healthy, then the Sixers never have to worry about this position and they will have the best player, but that doesn’t happen. Recently, the Sixers have not prioritized the backup center position. This positional value is higher for the Sixers because of Embiid’s injury history. Signing Andre Drummond should help the defense stay strong while Embiid is off the floor while also helping with rebounding. Paul Reed isn’t a bad player, but he wasn’t cutting it for the Sixers. Drummond should be able to keep the Sixers even with opponents while Embiid rests instead of going negative every time.

    Also, in the past the Sixers didn’t have any consistent offense coming from another position without Embiid. With Maxey’s improvements and now Paul George, they will not have to rely on a center to score points. The offense should be able to hold it down while Embiid rests.

    Conclusion

    Overall, the Sixers team looks a lot better on paper than it did last year. They’ve added a lot of pieces that look like they will fit with this team well. Obviously it comes down to whether they can get out of the second round of the playoffs, but for now we can look at a much improved team than last year. Adding Paul George should make this season a lot more fun to watch.

     

     

    Picture from Kyle Ross

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    Collin Benjamin

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  • Sixers Make Moves in First Two Days of Free Agency – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Sixers Make Moves in First Two Days of Free Agency – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    After years of hoping, wishing, and wanting, the Sixers finally got the best player available in free agency – and they didn’t even have to trade for him! Most people woke up to surprising good news on Monday morning when they heard the Sixers signed Paul George. Daryl Morey could finally make something happen when given cap space heading into an offseason.

    The Case for Paul George

    Let’s start with the bad side.

    Some people had and still do have skepticism about signing Paul George. He has played 14 seasons in the NBA already and recently turned 34. Not ancient, but definitely not young for NBA standards. Those concerns hold weight – especially given his injury history. In the last 5 years, he has only played 60 games in one of them. Luckily, that one season was last season, which gives hope to his health heading into this year. It’s no coincidence that he has his healthiest year once they found somebody else (James Harden) to dominate the ball and distribute.

    Enough with the bad, there is a lot more good to talk about with him.

    First off, he finished top 5 in 3-pointers made while shooting 41.3% and 45.4% on catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities. This kind of ability from beyond the arc will tremendously help the Sixers and Joel Embiid. Sending help off of Paul George will not happen, and if it does, all Embiid needs to do is find him and watch 3 points go up on the board.

    Secondly, as mentioned before, Paul George had his healthiest year last year when the Clippers acquired James Harden to primarily handle the ball. This allowed George to stay healthier throughout the year. He doesn’t have Harden anymore, but he has Maxey and Embiid as the first and second options which allows him to stay as option number 3. Hopefully this keeps him as healthy as possible throughout the year.

    Also, Paul George plays great defense. He might not do it as well as he used to, but he still averaged a steal and a half last year on the season. He’s 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan. Not many people have this gift of size matched with athleticism. He can guard all positions and will most likely take on the responsibility of guarding players like Tatum, Luka, Lebron, etc.

    In addition to defense, his size also allows him to create his own shot off the dribble. Maxey can do that, but has trouble in congested areas. Embiid can, but as a center it’s harder for him to quickly get a shot off and create space. With George’s quickness and size, he can create shots in crowded areas when he needs to.

    While Paul George is not the same player he used to be a few years ago, he is still a fantastic third option on a contending basketball team. Lots of people knock him for never winning, which is fair, he has never had a player like Embiid on his team. Not to mention what could happen if Maxey continues to improve.

    Returning Sixers

    Tyrese Maxey will return in a Sixers uniform for the next 5 years after signing a well deserved maximum extension worth $205 million. The Sixers’ 21st pick in the 2020 draft has panned out better than anyone could have hoped. Imagine how much better Maxey will continue to improve in the coming years. He has the brightest future out of any player on the Sixers.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. will also return to the Sixers on a 2-year 16.3 million dollar deal. It’s nice to see a player like Oubre stick around after bouncing around the league for a lot of his career. He just needs to stop riding his bike in the streets and everything will be ok.

    After getting traded away to the Nets, then playing in Chicago, Andre Drummond signs a 2-year $10 million deal to come back to Philly. Most consider Drummond one of Embiid’s best backups during his career, so it’s good to see him return. His knack for rebounding and clogging up the defensive lane should help the Sixers during the Embiid-less minutes. His offense is limited, but Paul George and Tyrese Maxey hold all the responsibility now on offense without Embiid. Drummond’s game plan needs to stick with setting screens and dunking the ball.

    New Sixers

    So far, only one player comes to Philly brand new this offseason: Eric Gordon. He signed a veterans minimum for one year. He’s a classic vet who enters his 18th season this year. He’s a consistent 37% career 3-point shooter who you’d expect to see play less minutes this year than last (27). He’ll give us a few threes a night and play decent defense.

    The Job’s Not Done

    Currently, the Sixers only have 8 players signed, plus their two draft picks.

    Joel Embiid, C

    Andre Drummond, C

    Paul Reed, PF/C

    Paul George, SF

    Kelly Oubre Jr., SF

    Ricky Council IV, SF

    Tyrese Maxey, PG

    Eric Gordon, SG

    With the only PG on the team being Maxey, expect the Sixers to aggressively pursue a PG in the coming days. Maybe they go after Kyle Lowry and resign him, but they could go after other options like Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, or (hear me out) Markelle Fultz.

    I would love to see Tyus Jones sign with the Sixers. He averaged over 7 APG on the Wizards which is impressive given the option he has to pass to on that team.

    Markelle Fultz is a very interesting candidate. He will most likely resign with the Magic, but I would welcome him back to Philly since plays well and can really help a team with his shot creating abilities. He has become a good NBA player, but not what we expected when he went #1 in the 2017 draft.

    The Sixers also need to sign a true PF. They have plenty of SF’s, but they need a bigger body down there, and preferably one that can rebound well. Paul Reed could transition to PF, but in all likelihood, his time has come to an end here.

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    Collin Benjamin

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  • Report: Sixers to sign Paul George to four-year contract

    Report: Sixers to sign Paul George to four-year contract

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    It happened: the Sixers have an agreement with Paul George on a four-year contract that will bring the nine-time All-Star to Philadelphia, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

    George is projected to earn a total of $212,205,000 over the life of the max contract that will run from his age-34 season through his age-37 season. According to Wojnarowski, the fourth year of the deal contains a player option.

    Season (George age) Salary
    2024-25 (34) $49,350,000
    2025-26 (35) $51,817,500
    2026-27 (36) $54,285,000
    2027-28 (37, player option) $56,752,500

    Ever since the trade that sent James Harden to the Clippers at the beginning of last season — which netted the Sixers role players on expiring contracts and future draft picks — it was abundantly clear that Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and his front office were gearing up for the chance to add another high-profile name to their present All-Star duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this offseason. Nearly a year later, their hopes have become reality.

    George, considered by many to be one of the best two-way wing players of his era, has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game over the course of his impressive NBA career, while posting a career 38.5 three-point percentage as one of the highest-volume long-range shooters in the world.

    The move ends a five-year partnership with Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, after George forced a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Clippers to team with Leonard and try to win a championship in his home state of California. Many expected George and Leonard to lead the Clippers to the promised land, but they never reached an NBA Finals due to a combination of injuries and playoff letdowns.

    The Clippers were reportedly never willing to offer George a four-year deal — Leonard, who had been on the same timeline on George contractually, inked a three-year extension last winter — and evidently, the Sixers had no hesitation pulling the trigger on a contract with that sort of framework.

    NBA free agency: Is Paul George the Sixers’ missing piece?

    There are fair reasons to wonder if this is the right path forward for the Sixers: he is 34 years old, has an extensive injury history and, like the team he is set to join, has a reputation for falling short in the playoffs. Some believe that the Sixers would have been better off spreading out their massive cap space around to sign multiple quality role players in a vote of confidence that Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey can be the lone stars for a championship team.

    But the Sixers have long signaled that a three-star model was their preferred form of roster construction and privately appeared to be of the belief that they had a very real chance of landing George despite conflicting reports about whether or not mutual interest actually existed.

    Signing George will occupy the vast majority of the Sixers’ cap space, with the remainder going to Andre Drummond and the team using its room Mid-Level Exception on Kelly Oubre Jr.

    In order to sign George, the Sixers have to renounce their Bird rights to several free agents, meaning they can no longer exceed the salary cap in order to sign them — they can only sign them to deals using the aforementioned MLE or a veteran’s minimum contract. The players who will need to be renounced include Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nic Batum, Robert Covington and De’Anthony Melton. This does not definitively rule out returns for all five, but it does make bringing them back into the fold more difficult to pull off. 

    Sixers free agency primer: Literally everything you need to know

    As the Sixers have demonstrated here, though, they are far more concerned by who their team’s third star is than who their key reserves are. They are of the belief that teams win with as many stars as possible. So, in their view, the hardest part of building a championship team is done, with Embiid, Maxey and George being a three-man unit prolific enough to anchor a championship team in their eyes. Now it is up to Morey and co. to surround their new prized trio with the proper supporting cast to challenge the likes of the Boston Celtics and other Eastern Conference contenders.

    Give the Sixers this: whether one agrees with signing George being the right path for them to travel, the team spent an entire year plotting for this very moment and were able to pull off exactly what they hoped to execute. Paul George is a Sixer.

    Follow Adam on Twitter: @SixersAdam

    Follow PhillyVoice on Twitter: @thephillyvoice

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • How the Sixers can sign Paul George and trade for Lauri Markkanen this offseason

    How the Sixers can sign Paul George and trade for Lauri Markkanen this offseason

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    News broke just over 24 hours before the start of NBA free agency on Sunday evening that Los Angeles Clippers star wing Paul George is opting out of his contract and entering free agency, with the Sixers looming as a “legitimate threat” to sign the nine-time All-Star.

    The Sixers have been positioning themselves for this moment for the better part of a year as their quest for the ideal third star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey continued. 

    But what if they found a fourth star, too?

    Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz has become one of the most dynamic offensive forwards in the entire NBA over the last two seasons, a genuine three-level scorer who can put the ball in the basket at the highest of levels. As he enters the final year of his current contract, reports have circulated that teams are monitoring whether or not Markkanen, who is only entering his age-27 season, could become available for trade in the near future.

    Sixers free agency primer: Literally everything you need to know

    It could take a massive amount of draft picks to woo the Jazz — rightfully so given how good the Finnish seven-footer has become. But if it is possible, the Sixers are armed with a collection of future first-round selections to make a competitive offer.

    Pulling off a trade for Markkanen after signing George to the maximum offer he is expected to command — which is projected to be worth $49,350,000 in its first season — would be extremely tricky.

    But after a few hours of crunching numbers and asking various salary cap experts, it does seem that this path is feasible if things broke right: that is, the Sixers could theoretically put these four players together without violating any of the league’s salary cap rules.

    Before we get to all of the salary cap machinations, it is worth pointing out that there are some potential downsides to doing this: Markkanen is, of course, due for a new and hefty contract soon. The Sixers’ financial flexibility after assembling this hypothetical four-star unit would be incredibly limited, resembling the hellish situation the Phoenix Suns are currently in. There is a real argument to be made that going down this road would be reckless, giving the Sixers a one- or two-year window at best and then putting them in an extremely precarious position.

    But with the Boston Celtics looking like a juggernaut and teams like the New York Knicks pushing all of their chips in, it is not unreasonable to expect the Sixers to do the same — and if there was ever a group of four players to do it for, it would be this one.

    So, come on a journey with me as I outline the path to building a team featuring Embiid, Maxey, George and Markkanen:

    Step No. 1: Renounce all free agents other than Maxey

    According to the projections of salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan on capsheets.com, if the Sixers renounce the rights to all of their free agents other than Maxey — Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Lowry, Mo Bamba, Jeff Dowtin Jr., KJ Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr., Cam Payne and Terquavion Smith — they would have $54,781,404 in cap space. That is our starting point in this exercise.

    Step No. 2: Sign Paul George to max contract

    The first year of George’s max contract is projected to be worth $49,350,000. His deal eating up that chunk of salary cap space trims their cap room to $5,431,404. But, the NBA salary cap has something called incomplete roster charges: when a team does not have at least 13 players who they either have under contract or own the Bird rights of, the team is charged one rookie minimum salary against their cap space for each number below 13 that they are at. 

    So, signing George would remove one incomplete roster charge, which is projected to be valued at $1,160,564. So, that gives the Sixers $6,591,948 in cap space.

    Step No. 3: Trade for soon-to-be salary filler

    When a team makes a normal in-season trade, any player they trade for cannot be traded along with other players for a certain period of time. Free agent signings are not allowed to be traded at all until Dec. 15. But if a team absorbs a player into their cap space via trade, that player can be rerouted at any time, and they are allowed to be aggregated with other salaries.

    So, the idea here is that the Sixers would use this $6.5 million or so of cap space to absorb salary via trade so that they can eventually be sent to Utah in a Markkanen deal.

    There are a few players on expiring contracts who they could likely acquire from teams for little to no cost. Reggie Jackson of the Charlotte Hornets, for example, will make $5,250,000 next season and has no place with his new team in the short- or long-term.

    Of course, the Sixers would only perform Step No. 3 if they knew Step No. 4 was going to immediately follow:

    Step No. 4: Trade for Lauri Markkanen

    This is, of course, the hardest part — and the component of this plan that makes it the hardest to see actually coming to fruition. First, the Jazz have to decide that they are ready to move Markkanen. Then, the Sixers have to hope that no other team makes a stronger offer than what they are capable of. Unfortunately for the Sixers, there are teams out there with stronger collections of future first-round picks, so even if the Jazz did decide it was time to trade their best player, it is not exactly a lock that the Sixers could get him if they want to do so.

    So, the structure of the trade would be Markkanen going to the Sixers in exchange for Paul Reed, Ricky Council IV, whichever player(s) they acquire to satisfy Step No. 3 and a collection of future draft picks.

    A quick note: the Jazz are the team that signed Reed to his unusual three-year deal last summer, before the Sixers matched the offer sheet and ensured he would return to Philadelphia, so it is entirely plausible that Utah would value him to some extent beyond just being salary filler.

    Again, though, things would need to break right for the Sixers to make this offer appealing to Utah beyond its simple legality.

    Step No. 5: Find depth

    With George and Markkanen secured in this hypothetical world, the Sixers would have the room mid-level exception — worth a hair over $8 million — and veteran’s minimum contracts to fill out the remainder of their roster. They could choose to offer the entirety of that MLE to one player in hopes of finding a strong fifth starter, or they could split it up among two viable rotation contributors.

    Step No. 6: Sign Tyrese Maxey to max contract

    This will be the Sixers’ final piece of business officially, but it will be their easiest: Maxey will agree with the team on a five-year contract worth just below $205 million.

    And just like that, Embiid, Maxey, George and Markkanen would all be on the same roster. Take a deep breath.

    Step No. 7: Hope for a title next season, because tough times are coming

    Putting these four incredible talents on the same team in today’s NBA would be a remarkable feat in itself, even just on the level of displaying tremendous creativity. But beyond the 2024-25 season, the team would be in an unspeakably disadvantageous situation from a financial standpoint moving forward if they were to re-sign Markkanen.

    One final disclaimer: none of this is to say the Sixers are going pull all of this off, or that it is a remotely realistic outcome, or even that they should attempt to do it if it was possible. It is merely an attempt to outline the procedural path to assembling a roster featuring these four-star players.

    Follow Adam on Twitter: @SixersAdam

    Follow PhillyVoice on Twitter: @thephillyvoice

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Renck: Trading picks and a backup for DaRon Holmes and cap space? These can’t be the only moves by Nuggets GM Calvin Booth this offseason.

    Renck: Trading picks and a backup for DaRon Holmes and cap space? These can’t be the only moves by Nuggets GM Calvin Booth this offseason.

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    This cannot be it. Otherwise, the Nuggets’ offseason becomes the finale of the Sopranos. Remember, Tony sitting in Holsten’s diner, waiting with his family when daughter Meadow walked through the door as a silent black screen popped up before the credits?

    Please tell me the Nuggets’ plans are not this cryptic, not this vacant.

    RELATED: Nuggets 2024 free agency preview: What Denver needs and why options hinge on KCP

    Following a heart-in-a-blender Game 7 loss to the Timberwolves in the second round, the Nuggets have responded by trading six-second round picks to draft DaRon Holmes and ship out Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets for $5 million in cap space.

    Nuggets Nation is starting to nibble its fingernails.

    There has to be more. One super-sized move. Two medium-sized transactions. If not? Then pessimism screams that general manager Calvin Booth saved ownership on the tax bill by trading an aging point guard to free up minutes for Jalen Pickett while committing further to young players Christian Braun, Perry Watson and Holmes.

    Those are the types of money laundering moves we expect from the Rockies. Not a title franchise.

    When free agency begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, roster construction will resume befitting a team in a championship window, right? Right?

    If not, the Nuggets are telling their fans that life will never be better than 2023. Talk about a crowbar to the shins.

    A confluence of factors has backed the Nuggets into a corner: a financially top-heavy roster, lacking draft collateral and minimal cap space. And let’s not forget the silly decision to give backup Zeke Nnaji a four-year, $32 million contract. The idea was that he would become a rotational player or perform well enough to offer trade value. He has done neither. He deserves blame for producing underwhelming statistics. And Michael Malone did not help by refusing to use him.

    The disconnect between the front office and the coach’s vision for Nnaji is haunting at a time when the team desperately needs flexibility.

    Booth has talked about winning multiple championships, referencing the San Antonio Spurs’ three titles in five years. It is why I believe last week teed the Nuggets up to make some noise. The alternative is too depressing.

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    Troy Renck

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  • NBA free agency: Is Paul George the Sixers’ missing piece?

    NBA free agency: Is Paul George the Sixers’ missing piece?

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    Since the beginning of the 2023-24 Sixers season, reporting, on-the-record quotes and contextual clues have all told the same story: President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has his sights set on adding another star-caliber player to the team’s All-Star duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this summer. With the constant player movement that has helped define this era of NBA basketball, it may be impossible to guess who that third key cog will be for the Sixers.

    Let’s evaluate the likelihood as well as the pros and cons of the Sixers adding Paul George this summer.

    George, who turned 34 years old earlier this month, is expected to decline his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2024-25 season and become an unrestricted free agent. While there appears to be considerable interest from both George and the Clippers in a long-term reunion, the sides appear to be far apart in contract negotiations that have been going on since the beginning of this season. George’s co-star, Kawhi Leonard — who was also set to have the opportunity to become a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season — inked a three-year extension with the Clippers in January. George was expected to follow suit, but never agreed to terms with the team.

    MORE: Paul George is ‘Plan A’ for Sixers this summer

    George has become known as one of the great two-way wings of his era, a career 20.8-point per game scorer with four All-Defensive Team honors to his name.

    George has become one of the sport’s most consistent and highest-volume three-point shooters. Over the last nine NBA seasons, George has made 39.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc while taking nearly 4,500 total three-point attempts. With the ability to shoot off the catch and off the dribble at 6-foot-8 with a high release point, he is one of the best in NBA history at getting three-point shots up at a high rate. But George has also used his very impressive frame to earn a reputation as one of the league’s best wing defenders, particularly among high-usage offensive players.

    For all of these reasons, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported Monday morning that signing George is considered to be the Sixers’ primary objective this summer.

    This makes sense: George’s on-court fit with Embiid and Maxey is pristine, the Sixers are aiming to win a championship next season and he may be the single best player attainable for the team this offseason.

    In theory, George is the absolute perfect third star to play in between Maxey and Embiid: he should be able to play alongside either or both of them and take over the team’s offense in spurts when necessary while also bolstering the team’s wing defense. The key words: in theory.

    As clean as the fit seems on paper for George in Philadelphia, there are some significant reasons to be worried about whether signing him to a massive, long-term contract is a viable long-term solution to the Sixers’ current issues, as it might create new problems down the line.

    Let’s start with the drawbacks of George as a player: in the last four NBA seasons, he has played an average of 53.7 games per regular season. Once an iron man of sorts, he has developed a lengthy injury history in recent seasons that has damaged his durability. Meanwhile, George’s production as a defender lags far behind his reputation at this point — he does not expend nearly as much energy as he used to on that end of the floor (which is to be expected as he grapples with the aging process and a long list of injuries, but is still a cause for concern).

    There is no doubt that George is still a tremendous offensive talent: he has averaged 24.1 points per game over the last six regular seasons with an impressive 58.8 true shooting percentage, is a true three-level scoring threat, and has even improved his passing — once considered a bit of a hole in his game.

    But, for what it is worth, George has developed a reputation as a player who shies away from the moment when the playoffs come around. Not dissimilar to Embiid, he has still been a good player in those moments, but has clearly not reached his full potential. His efficiency takes a dip in the postseason most years (not too uncommon, in a general sense), and he has been part of several ugly, disappointing playoff exits.

    On the day the Clippers were eliminated from the first round of the NBA Playoffs earlier this month at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks — a game in which George shot 6-18 from the field — Robert Flom, who covers the team for 213Hoops, summed up concerns about George’s playoff production as they relate to the Sixers succinctly:

    “Sixers fans who want their max players to be aggressive in key moments are in for a world of disappointment if PG does end up there.”

    Speaking of a maximum contract, the price of adding George is another significant factor here that could lead the Sixers to be nervous. In order to pry George away from his home state of California and the Clippers, the Sixers will likely have to offer him the most they possibly can — and not a single penny below it.

    While the Clippers have the advantage of being able to offer George a five-year deal, it seems nearly impossible that they would go to those lengths given George’s age and injury history. Leonard’s three-year deal may have been an attempt at setting a precedent for George’s future deal with the team — if one is to actually come to fruition.

    If the Clippers stick to that timeline, the Sixers have a chance to usurp them by offering George the longest deal they are allowed to, a four-year pact. Because George has more than 10 years of NBA service, his maximum contract starts at 35 percent of the salary cap. If he signs with the Sixers, he can receive raises of up to five percent each season. Here is what George’s maximum contract would look like if he came to Philadelphia:

    Season (George age) Salary
    2024-25 (34) $49,350,000
    2025-26 (35) $51,817,500
    2026-27 (36) $54,285,000
    2027-28 (37) $56,752,500

    That comes out to four years and $212,205,000 — a staggering number, even for a player with George’s track record.

    To create the requisite salary cap space to sign this deal, the Sixers would need to gut their roster by renouncing the vast majority of their free agents. Letting go of Tobias Harris will not hurt; watching Buddy Hield walk would not be a crushing blow either. But signing George might make it impossible for the team to bring back someone like De’Anthony Melton, who could potentially be signed to another deal below his market value after dealing with two years of back injuries.

    Of course, in a vacuum, swapping Melton for George while letting two high-priced disappointments in Harris and Hield sign elsewhere is a promising proposition. But if the Sixers renounce nearly all of their free agents to sign George, they will have very limited resources to fill out the rest of their roster.

    The best the Sixers could do in terms of keeping their own free agents in-house after a theoretical deal George addition would be keeping their rights to Maxey — who is primed to sign a five-year contract of his own worth $204,450,000 this summer — as well as two of their players who were on veteran’s minimums this season (likely Kelly Oubre Jr. and either Cam Payne or KJ Martin). That would mean they lose their ability to go over the cap to sign whichever of Payne and Martin they do not retain, as well as Melton, Nic Batum, Kyle Lowry and others — all of these players would only be able to sign with the Sixers for their minuscule remaining cap space, a salary cap exception or a veteran’s minimum deal.

    Spending nearly $50 million on a player next season will be well worth it for the Sixers if that player genuinely elevates them into championship status. But the idea of paying George over $56.7 million in 2027-28, when he will be 38 years old by the time the playoffs end, is daunting.

    On paper, George could not be a better fit alongside Embiid and Maxey to form a dominant trio in Philadelphia which could compete with anybody in the Eastern Conference and the NBA. But, like most matters with the Sixers, it is just never quite that simple. While the upside of inking George to the four-year deal he would likely command from the team is palpable, so are the massive risks that come with such a move.

    MORE: Sixers offseason FAQ

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  • What they’re saying: Could the Sixers go for a Jimmy Butler reunion?

    What they’re saying: Could the Sixers go for a Jimmy Butler reunion?

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    So here we are – again. 

    Another Sixers postseason run stopped well short of title aspirations. Another playoff series where Joel Embiid had to battle through injury, only to be met with a wall again. And another offseason where the front office will still be left looking for ways to finally push the team over that hump that has stood for years now. 

    And weirdly enough, this playoff defeat somehow wasn’t as painful as the others. The Knicks played them tough, and granted, the Sixers set themselves back – a lot – but they kept battling. 

    Is it admiration? Or are fans just numb to this kind of thing now? 

    Either way, here’s what they’re saying about the Sixers and early reads of a crucial offseason…

    A Butler reunion?

    David Aldridge | The Athletic

    It’s going to take a bit more time for the dust to settle, but one of the immediate points to highlight for the offseason in the immediate aftermath of the first-round loss was that the Sixers will have tons of picks and tons of cap space, which means tons of options, including a major one if there is a deal to be made with the Miami Heat. 

    Per Aldridge, the Heat are likely to be facing a decision over where to take their club next, and that will include whether star veteran Jimmy Butler remains part of that picture. 

    And that could create the opening for the Sixers to swoop in with an offer. 

    Wrote Aldridge:

    Embiid and Butler left on good terms when Butler went to Miami, and they remain solid friends. Embiid made his feelings about Butler clear when Butler went on a 56-point heater against Milwaukee in the first round last year. The feelings appear to be mutual. Embiid seemed more than willing to cede some of the spotlight to Maxey; it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t be willing to do the same for Butler, given the latter’s postseason impact. (It is fair to question, though, whether Maxey would be as free as he was this season to create and seek scoring opportunities with the thirsty Butler aboard.)

    The Sixers have multiple future first-round picks, along with their own 2024 selection, that they could put in a potential package for Butler. They don’t, though, have existing players under contract that would likely entice the Heat to the bargaining table. A third team would likely be needed to provide players who would fit [a Bam Adebayo/Tyler Herro] timeline for Miami. With the new collective bargaining agreement rules clamping down on aggregation in trades for teams that have hit the second tax apron, multi-team deals aren’t as easy to make as they used to be. But they aren’t impossible. [The Athletic]

    Butler will turn 35 in September. He’s only going to have so many shots at a championship left, but at the same time, the Sixers might be down to their last shot with Embiid leading the charge, too. 

    More for George?

    Brian Windhorst | ESPN

    Paul George looks to be the immediate big name in play for the Sixers, however, which will almost assuredly take a max contract (that they can afford now) and a decision on George’s part to move on from the Clippers. 

    ESPN insider Brian Windhorst believes this is where Daryl Morey will “go to work,” be it through a big free agency signing or trade. 

    What Windhorst had to say about the Sixers, George, and the Clippers:

    The Clippers lost their first-round series to the Mavericks after this. 

    Windhorst also puts the Butler possibility in play, along with a pursuit of Brandon Ingram as another potential route. 

    The LeBron play?

    Sam Quinn | CBS Sports

    Always a seeming long shot, but always thrown out there regardless. 

    The Lakers also dipped out of the first round in a 4-1 series loss to the defending champion Nuggets, and now LeBron James faces another decision over where to go next. 

    He’s 39 and will turn 40 midway through next season. He really doesn’t have much, if anything, left to prove as a player. His spot as one of the all-time greats is already well-cemented. But if he’s after one more championship before he calls it a career, Sam Quinn argues that the Sixers might offer him the best shot, provided he doesn’t just stay put in LA.

    Wrote Quinn:

    Philadelphia isn’t quite as title-desperate as New York, but it’s been over 40 years since the 76ers last raised a banner. It’s a similarly sports-crazed northeastern city, and given where the 76ers are in their contending cycle, they’re likely to be somewhat more receptive to James as a conquering hero than the Knicks would be. Philadelphia has watched Embiid-led teams lose in every possible way in the postseason. Their fans know changes are needed. Knicks fans—justifiably—have practically deified Jalen Brunson. They love the version of the team that currently exists and might not be especially eager to break it up, even partially, for a short-term James rental. A New York title probably means more, but a Philadelphia title probably comes with more credit.

    James would probably prefer to win in Los Angeles if possible. The “if possible” moniker there is key. Both the Lakers and the 76ers have injury-prone star big men. Embiid is the better of the two players. Davis, given his defensive versatility and comfort diving on pick-and-rolls, might be the easier fit. The Lakers don’t have a Maxey-caliber guard, but they’re reportedly trying to improve their backcourt this offseason. Perhaps they could trade for a player that functions similarly. They had one of the NBA’s worst head coaches in Darvin Ham this season. They seem interested in upgrading next season. They lack Philadelphia’s cap space, but they have a number of worthwhile role players already in place. [CBS Sports]

    I object to the “title-desperate” part of that, but still, big offseason for the Sixers coming up and no option should probably be dismissed.

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  • ‘A ton of talent’: Paul George impressed after first match-up with Hornets’ Brandon Miller

    ‘A ton of talent’: Paul George impressed after first match-up with Hornets’ Brandon Miller

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    Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller (24) guards LA Clippers star Paul George during Sunday night’s game at Spectrum Center.

    Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller (24) guards LA Clippers star Paul George during Sunday night’s game at Spectrum Center.

    Photo courtesy of @hornets

    The G.O.A.T. was in the building, creating an everlasting memory.

    No, not the former majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, the guy who has the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award named after him. Some label Michael Jordan as the best to ever lace them up in the league, pointing to the six championships — including a pair of three-peats — along with his position as a global icon who changed the game in more ways than one.

    Brandon Miller has a different take on the often nauseating debate centering around the greatest player of all time, tabbing LA Clippers star Paul George instead of Jordan or LeBron James. Miller never backed off his statement and caught flak for it. The Hornets rookie missed the team’s December meeting, a rarity for him, so Sunday night’s 130-118 loss represented Miller’s first opportunity to go up against his favorite player.

    “That’s my guy, big bro,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to working out with him this summer. You know he’s going to be a tough match-up every time we play each other. And so I always look for a show when he’s on the court. He’s a great shot maker. And not just that. The whole season, he takes pride on the defensive side and that’s one of the things that stands out for him and his career. I think that’s why my favorite player is Paul George.”

    Miller commemorated the night with a halfcourt jersey swap, grabbing a keepsake.

    “Dream come true,” said Miller, who posted 22 points, six rebounds and four assists against the Clippers. “Just having one of our favorite player’s jerseys, just hanging (it) up in your house, I think that’s a great accomplishment. Really just out here being on the court with those types of guys — (Russell) Westbrook , PG, (James) Harden, Kawhi (Leonard) — I think that’s just a blessing. And I’m always going out there with the mindset of competing. And that’s what we do every night.”

    Even when it’s not simply any old night.

    “It was fun,” George said, standing in the Clippers’ locker room holding Miller’s uniform top. “He got a ton of game, and a ton of talent and I’m in his corner. So can’t wait to see him fully blossom and be one of those guys that carried the league for a long time.”

    Miller already left a lasting impact on George. He raved about the 21-year-old’s skill set, giving him props for the variety he brings to the table for the Hornets.

    “He can do a little bit of everything,” George said. “He can play make, score, shoot it from deep. He can put the ball on the ground, and he’s still figuring it out, figuring his body out. He really hasn’t grown into himself yet. So he’s got a ton of upside. But what’s most impressive is all the things that he can do for his age, and at some point he’s going to figure everything out.”

    Matched up on each other for a hefty portion of the game, Miller got tested early and often by the nine-time All-Star, who pumped in a game-high 41 points. George took Miller to school a couple of times, even putting him on skates before failing to knock down a 3-pointer that surely would’ve been shared everywhere on social media had it fallen through the net.

    Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller (center) chats with LA Clippers star Paul George after Sunday night’s game at Spectrum Center. The Hornets lost 130-118.
    Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller (center) chats with LA Clippers star Paul George after Sunday night’s game at Spectrum Center. The Hornets lost 130-118. Photo courtesy of @hornets

    In similar fashion to how things have gone during these past five months, however, Miller more than held his own. Separating himself with George guarding him in the third quarter was a thing of beauty, displaying his mentality.

    Miller said, “I was supposed to make that one. It happens.”

    Was that a push off?

    “For sure, for sure,” George said with a smile. “But it is what it is. They didn’t call it.”

    From the opening quarter, it was crystal clear being on the court with George didn’t intimidate Miller one bit. Swatting George’s first-quarter jumper and throwing down a nifty fast-break alley-oop from Tre Mann over him certainly proved that.

    “Yeah, I think (he’s) getting comfortable,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said. “ He said his idol is P.G. and he plays a lot like P.G. — off the dribble threes, when he gets in the pick and roll getting downhill, shifty moves. And just getting comfortable understanding how to play the NBA game. Like I said, (Coach Steve Clifford) has done a great job just bringing him along, making sure he plays the right way even though they want him to be aggressive scoring the basketball but also making the right play. And so he’s been doing that since I’ve been watching him on tape.”

    Miller has put together a solid season, climbing up the rookie ranks in many notable categories. He drained his 160th 3-pointer of the season Sunday, moving him into ninth place, and is close to surpassing the 166 Charlotte’s prodigal son Steph Curry posted during his first year.

    Leading into Sunday, Miller averaged 2.4 made 3-pointers per game, tops among rookies this season, and he’s on pace to set a new franchise rookie record for 3-point makes per game, topping LaMelo Ball’s 1.8 in 2020-21. In fact, Miller has drained at least five 3-pointers eight times, which leads all rookie and marks a franchise record.

    Still, perhaps the most telling number is this: Seven. That’s the number of games Miller hasn’t been available, which is no small feat on the Hornets’ injury-ravaged roster that’s second only to Memphis in games missed because of injury.

    “One thing that stands out after the other night is the durability piece,” coach Steve Clifford said.. “He turned his ankle badly, came in, went back out, one drive, hurts his other ankle, wanted to stay in. I asked him (Saturday), ‘You OK?’ ‘I’m good.’ And he’s done that two or three times.

    “In a league where I’d say the value of durability isn’t what it once was, he is a guy, he wants to be out there, he wants to play with his teammates, and he’s shown a real toughness to do that.”

    Opponents are taking notice, too.

    “It’s huge, it’s huge,” Lue said, “especially having your best players on the floor every night, and you build some consistency with your team. With your best players on the floor, you can run things through your best player, especially a young good player. You can only get better and better. If he wasn’t on the floor all this year, I don’t know how much better he would have gotten. Being on the floor, being able to go through the experiences — end-of-game situations, blowout situations, close game situations, it’s no better experience than being on the floor. So that’s what Brandon Miller has been able to do.”

    Which, in turn, should put him in position to keep ascending.

    “I think that is just a mindset thing,” Miller said. “I know my teammates want me to play, so I’m just going to go out there and do everything for them. I know they are always going to have my back and I’m going to have theirs.”

    Particularly when it comes to matching up with his G.O.A.T.

    “When I stepped on the court it was all basketball, just business,” Miller said. “Going into the game knowing that it was a tough match-up, I was looking forward to this game. I was excited to play this game and I think it was a great game by both teams.”

    Roderick Boone joined the Observer in September 2021 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and NBA. In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he’s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. The Long Island native has deep North Carolina roots and enjoys watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” endlessly.
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  • Leonard, George lead Clippers over NBA-best Celtics, 113-93

    Leonard, George lead Clippers over NBA-best Celtics, 113-93

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    LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard came to the bench with a message for his Los Angeles Clippers teammates.

    “Told the guys, ‘Let’s get out and run, let’s play faster,’” coach Tyronn Lue said.

    Behind 26 points from Paul George and Leonard’s season highs of 25 points and nine rebounds, the Clippers routed the NBA-leading Boston Celtics 113-93 on Monday night.

    “When your two best players come back, that’s a lot of energy,” Lue said.

    The Clippers’ defense held the Celtics under 100 points for the first time this season.

    “We did a great job pretty much across the whole board,” George said.

    Leonard also had six assists in his best all-around game of a young season that has been interrupted at times while he eases his way back from ACL surgery that cost him all of last season.

    “Only my ninth game,” Leonard said. “You can’t rush it. Yeah, just got to keep moving.”

    George has been hurt, too, although unlike Leonard, he’s no longer under a minutes restriction.

    “We’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to play on the court with one another,” George said. “It’s just good if both of us are playing aggressive.”

    Jaylen Brown scored 21 points to lead the Celtics, who dropped two in a row for only the second time this season. They had won eight of 10, including a loss at Golden State on Saturday. Jayson Tatum added 20 points — well below his 30-point average — and 11 rebounds, and Malcolm Brogdon had 18 points off the bench.

    “We made a conscious effort to make sure Tatum and Brown played in a crowd all night,” Lue said.

    Having the Celtics and their 21-7 record in town drew one of the Clippers’ biggest crowds of the season and created a playoff-like atmosphere. Boston fans showed out in the same colored gear as Marcus Smart’s green-hued hair.

    But the Clippers made most of the noise.

    Coming off a 2-2 East Coast trip, Los Angeles used a few big runs and solid defense to control the first half and take a 56-47 lead at the break.

    Leonard and George came out shooting to start the third. They each hit a 3-pointer while combining for 13 straight points that extended the lead to 69-55. Luke Kennard came off the bench and keyed a 7-0 run late, hitting a 3 before John Wall’s jumper put the Clippers ahead 88-72 going into the fourth.

    George and Leonard combined for seven straight points in the fourth and Kennard kept hitting, too, pushing the Clippers’ lead to 104-80.

    “How he played was huge, just seeing him get his rhythm back,” Lue said of Leonard. “The last couple games just playing with more pace. He’s been feeling good.”

    The biggest roar came when Smart missed a pair of free throws, ensuring fans free chicken sandwiches. Smart finished with three points and five fouls.

    George and Leonard were part of the Clippers’ 17-8 spurt in the second. Los Angeles ran off 11 points in a row as part of a 20-3 burst in the first.

    TIP-INS

    Celtics: Al Horford (personal reasons) is expected to rejoin the team when it returns home this weekend. … Former Clipper Blake Griffin started in Horford’s place. He picked up a technical foul in the second quarter for grabbing the net.

    Clippers: Norman Powell (left groin strain) is progressing well in individual workouts, but there’s no timetable for his return. … Ivica Zubac was a game-time decision to start after experiencing right groin soreness in Saturday’s game. He had four points, three rebounds and five fouls in 17 minutes.

    UP NEXT

    Celtics: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back on Boston’s second-longest road trip of the season.

    Clippers: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in the second of five straight home games.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Clippers edge Rockets 95-93 on George’s clutch jumpers

    Clippers edge Rockets 95-93 on George’s clutch jumpers

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    LOS ANGELES — Paul George hit a go-ahead jumper with six seconds remaining, finishing with 35 points as the Los Angeles Clippers edged past the Houston Rockets 95-93 on Monday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

    Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Kawhi Leonard and John Wall. Leonard missed his fifth game and Wall sat out his second, both because of knee injury management.

    K.J. Martin scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Rockets (1-8), who dropped their fourth in a row.

    George’s 3-pointer tied the game 93-all with 39 seconds remaining. That got fans on their feet for the final seconds.

    George stole the ball from former Clipper Eric Gordon. After another timeout, Reggie Jackson inbounded to George, who hit a jumper that gave the Clippers their first lead of the fourth quarter.

    Gordon’s shot missed at the buzzer and he gestured to indicate he thought he’d been fouled.

    George had three costly turnovers in the final minutes after hitting a 3-pointer that drew the Clippers within two earlier in the fourth. His first led to a dunk by Kevin Porter Jr. After George’s second turnover, he got called for an offensive foul.

    George fed Zubac for a dunk that again got the Clippers within two. But Jalen Green answered with a basket to keep Houston ahead.

    Martin, who finished four points off his career high, got hot late in the third and early in the fourth. Tari Eason and Martin combined to score 11 points in a row to put Houston back in front, 76-71, late in the third.

    Martin had Houston’s first five points of the fourth before missing two free throws with the Rockets clinging to a two-point lead.

    The teams traded narrow leads in the third, when George scored 12 points.

    TIP-INS

    Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate reaggravated the ankle injury that forced him to miss the season’s first four games. He’s day-to-day and will be re-evaluated in Houston.

    Clippers: Robert Covington remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. … Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight against the Rockets.

    LEONARD TO STAY HOME

    Leonard won’t be joining the Clippers for their quick two-game trip to Texas this week.

    “He’s frustrated. He wants to be out on the floor,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Then not being on the floor, now you can’t travel. He wants to travel, but the doctor says it’s not the right thing to do right now with the stiffness (in his knee) and what he’s going through.”

    UP NEXT

    The teams meet again Wednesday in Houston.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • George: ‘Kawhi’s the 1, I’m the 2’ on Clippers

    George: ‘Kawhi’s the 1, I’m the 2’ on Clippers

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    LOS ANGELES — Paul George set aside any ego and made it clear that Kawhi Leonard is the LA Clippers‘ No. 1 option and that he is the second star in the All-Star duo’s pecking order.

    As they enter their fourth season together with championship expectations, George was asked if there are any past championship wing tandems that he and Leonard can use as a potential blueprint.

    “Yeah, look at the [Miami Heat] wing-wing DWade [Dwyane Wade] and LeBron ]James],” George said Sunday following the Clippers’ 119-117 preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. “I think it just comes down to — listen, Kawhi is the No. 1. And I am totally fine with that. I think I try to complement him with being able to take the load off of him.

    “Everybody says, ‘Kawhi [and] you are 1 and 1, [or] 1A, 1B.’ I’ll publicly say, I’m the 2. Kawhi’s the 1, I’m the 2. So that part we nipped in the bud. Like there’s no ego when it comes to that.”

    This is a pivotal season for Leonard and George, who are looking to make their first trip to the NBA Finals together since teaming up on the Clippers in the summer of 2019.

    Leonard, describing how he and George have grown together as leaders and their dynamic as a duo, pointed to their “genuine relationship.”

    “We’re both unselfish,” said Leonard. “My 12th year, his 13th year … we’ve been through this before, so I feel like just having those years under our belt and obviously, like I said, we have a genuine relationship and it just carries over [into how we lead].”

    The Clippers’ season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 20 will be the duo’s first meaningful game together since Leonard tore his right ACL in Game 4 of Los Angeles’ second-round playoff series against Utah on June 14, 2021. George picked up the load and led the Clippers to their first-ever Western Conference finals appearance that postseason without Leonard.

    With Leonard missing the entirety of the 2021-22 season, George carried the Clippers until he suffered an elbow injury to his shooting arm that kept him out for three months. He came back late in the regular season but missed the Clippers’ second and final play-in game due to COVID-19.

    Since teaming up in L.A., George and Leonard have played in a total of 104 regular-season and postseason games together. Now the two are back sharing the court with George having been the Clippers’ top scoring option since June 2021. And George says he is perfectly fine with Leonard returning to the role of first option.

    “I believe in my talent and what I can do,” George said. “And I believe on any night of what I am capable of. But I feel my job is to make everybody better. That is what I try to do when I am on the floor, just make the game easy for everybody, whether it is creating or just being aggressive … and making reads off of that.

    “I think we will go a long ways if everybody just knows their role and what we bring to the table. Everything else is easy, we just roll the ball out and we get after it.”

    George and other teammates say Leonard has shown a joy in being back after spending the last 13-14 months bulking up and strengthening his knee. Clippers coach Ty Lue says his reserved star has even opened up more.

    “I mean I missed a whole year missing basketball,” Leonard said. “I went down in one of the worst ways, in a playoff run. Just don’t wanna take anything for granted and just trying to live in that moment and bring a sense of energy for the team.”

    “I’m young still,” added Leonard, who is 31. “So any chance you get that taken away from you and you don’t feel like you’re done … You just miss it, you know what I mean?”

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