76ers sign two superstars to start NBA Free Agency

Written by: William Petersen •

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NBA Free Agency

The Philadelphia 76ers curated the first hustle and bustle of the 2024 NBA Free Agency after securing nine time All-Star Paul George late in the night of June 30th to a four-year, $212 million max contract. George has been at the head of the 76ers free agent targets following the conclusion of the LA Clippers season after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Playoffs in six games. Paul George was brought to LA in 2019 after a two season stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Philadelphia has been eyeing a superstar to bolster the support of budding superstar Tyrese Maxey and former MVP Joel Embiid, who has still not made an Eastern Conference Finals since being drafted third overall in 2014.

George will bring an instant impact to this Sixers roster who is trying to maximize the younger talent in hopes of finally making an NBA Finals berth in 2025. Paul George finished the regular season averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 41.1% shooting from the field and 36.7% from three in a season that many thought could end with a deep postseason run from him, Kawhi Leonard and company. Instead the Clippers were met by the roadblock of the Dallas Mavericks who beat the Clippers in six games, ultimately jumpstarting the destruction of the superstar core of Leonard and George. Paul George now joins Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey who just got a deal done of his own with the Sixers, who extended him five-years for $204 million. Maxey made a major jump this season, securing his first All-Star selection after averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds on 45% shooting from the field and 37.3% from three. It is clear the Sixers are fully enthralled in the “championship or bust” mindset after disappointing postseasons the past couple of years.

While the Sixers have retained Maxey and added George, Tobias Harris decided to sign with the Detroit Pistons on a two-year $52 million deal after spending the last six seasons in Philadelphia, which included Harris signing a five-year, $180 million contract with the Sixers in 2019 after being traded from the Clippers. Harris never lived up to this massive contract and it is not surprising that the 76ers did not look to re-sign the veteran after an underwhelming run in a Sixers uniform. With Harris on his way to the Motor City, Philadelphia did extend Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year, $16.3 million deal that should give support to the Sixers starting five. Oubre had a solid season for the Sixers in 2023-24, averaging 15.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 44% shooting and 31% shooting from beyond the arc. Only time will tell if the exorbitant amount of money the 76ers have already spent in the first two days of free agency will bring them their first NBA Championship since 1983 or if they will be on the blow up and rebuild trend once these massive contracts expire down the road.

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