Paul George Rumors: Insiders Expect Clippers Star to Sign 76ers Contract, Join Embiid

The color palette he's wearing would be broadly the same, but the name on the front of Paul George's jersey may be very different in 2024-25.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey reported Thursday the Philadelphia 76ers' "desire to acquire Paul George in free agency is the NBA's worst-kept secret." Pompey added that "there are some who expect both sides to reach an agreement."

The Sixers can clear up to $76.8 million in salary cap space next year, per Spotrac, so the addition of a major star feels inevitable. George can opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason and will be one of the top free agents on the board if that happens.

It's relatively easy to foresee a situation in which George decides to leave Southern California. Even with Kawhi Leonard locked in for the next three years, he might have serious reservations about the Clippers' direction if they suffer another playoff disappointment.

And things could be trending that way with L.A. cooling off following a blistering run across December and January.

George may come to believe aligning with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia offers him a better path to a title. Granted, the Sixers' fortunes have taken an even steeper decline than those of the Clippers thank to Embiid's knee injury.

However, Pompey downplayed the likelihood of George actually signing with the Sixers and speculated his links to Philly are about "creating leverage" with the Clippers.

Leonard is due to collect nearly $149.7 million from his new deal with the Clippers, which is less than he could've earned on a full max. While that was presented as an altruistic venture, it may have also reflected the fact the six-time All-Star has missed a lot of time due to injuries in L.A. The Clippers, or any other team for that matter, would be justified to a degree in not wanting to give him the most money and years possible.

When it comes to George, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on March 20 there were "suspicions that the subsequent offers to George have fallen an unknown amount shy of the numbers contained in [Leonard's] extension."

Like Leonard, George has suffered a series of injuries with the Clippers that have helped to stymie their quest for a championship. They might be digging in their heels at the negotiating table because of that.

Using the Sixers as a stalking horse would be a great way for George to force the front office's hand if staying in Los Angeles is what he ultimately wants.