The Summer's Hottest Free Agent: Paul George
Assuming LeBron James stays with the Lakers, the biggest free agent on the market this summer is undoubtedly Paul George. As an unrestricted free agent, George has the luxury of choosing any team that has the resources to add him. This could be through cap space or a sign-and-trade with the Clippers if George signals his intent to leave Los Angeles.
The Philadelphia 76ers: Top Suitors
The Philadelphia 76ers have made it clear that George is their top target. Conveniently, they possess the cap space to offer him a max deal. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported in May that the Clippers are unwilling to extend George's contract beyond the three-year, $152.3 million extension they offered Kawhi Leonard. While the Clippers have the capacity to offer George a full max contract worth $221 million over four years, their reluctance to do so might push George to seek opportunities elsewhere.
This scenario presents a potential opening for the 76ers, who can push for George to join their squad alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The possibility of competing for a championship could be very appealing to George, especially if the 76ers can offer the right kind of playing environment.
What Does the "Right Style of Basketball" Mean?
In a recent podcast, George mentioned that he is chasing the "right style of basketball," although he did not elaborate on what that entails. This ambiguous statement leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Is he looking for a team that emphasizes ball and player movement, similar to the Warriors during Kevin Durant’s tenure? Or is he avoiding teams with a heliocentric style, centered around a high-usage star like Luka Doncic or Trae Young?
George's description could also be an indication of his priority to blend into a system that fits his playing style and maximizes his effectiveness on the court. He is clearly not interested in standing around waiting for a chance to shoot with only a handful of seconds left on the shot clock. This could influence his decision when considering offers from potential suitors.
Teams in the Running and Their Styles
Let's address the teams likely to be in contention for George’s services. The Clippers, his current team, have a style of play that George seems comfortable with. However, if financial disagreements arise, other teams could swoop in.
The 76ers, under new head coach Nick Nurse, play with more tempo and pace. Their offense is built around Embiid as the central hub and Maxey as a dynamic downhill attacker. This could be an appealing setup for George, who might see this as playing the "right way."
The Orlando Magic, lacking a distinct offensive identity, would likely cater their system to George if he joined their roster. However, given his current focus, it’s unlikely George would see a move to the Magic or the Houston Rockets as a step in the right direction towards championship contention.
George also acknowledges the defensive prowess of teams like the Boston Celtics, noting their ability to switch defensively across multiple positions. This makes defensive composition an additional factor in his decision-making process.
Championship Contention vs. Playing Style
While George has mentioned he is not necessarily prioritizing a championship over playing the right style of basketball, it is hard to separate the two goals entirely. The best teams in the league tend to play efficient, cohesive basketball, which directly contributes to their success.
Orlando may look promising if they can integrate George’s offensive capabilities into their system. However, contending teams like the 76ers, who already have a strong organizational structure and a competitive defensive strategy, could present more attractive offers.
Ultimately, the decision rests on the total package—playing style, team dynamics, financial considerations, and championship potential. George’s open-ended statements offer little concrete information on his preferences, leaving the speculation wide open.
For now, the basketball world will have to wait and see where Paul George decides to take his talents. Whether it’s Los Angeles, Philadelphia, or another destination entirely, his decision will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of the NBA for the upcoming season.
Quotes:
- "At this point, I’m not even necessarily, this is not even about -- people say chasing a championship, it’s not that. It’s playing the right style of basketball is what I’m chasing."
- "What team doesn’t play the right style of basketball according to its personnel?"
- "I want to play the right way."
- "In May, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported that the Clippers are unwilling to offer George more than the three-year, $152.3 million extension they gave to Kawhi Leonard."
- "Kevin Durant said he went to the Warriors because he wanted to play in their ball and player movement system, which, at the time, was an entirely different system from that of pretty much any other team in the NBA."