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‘No winning culture…’ Paul George names the NBA team he would never sign with in free agency

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 4:48 PM ET

Paul George has love for this city, but there is one NBA team he would never sign with, because his career would be over.

Paul George is one of the more tenured players in the NBA today. The two-way wing is a 15-year NBA veteran, entering his 16th season this October.

George has had the opportunity to play for several great teams. George emerged on the scene with the Indiana Pacers, taking the fight to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat.

But after some injury-riddled years, George found himself on the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he became an MVP contender and had his best years.

It was his trade to the LA Clippers, where George’s reputation took a hit. He was supposed to help compete for a championship, but the Clippers never even came close with George and Kawhi Leonard as their stars.

Eventually, it came time for George to enter free agency for the first time in his career. While he eventually chose the Philadelphia 76ers, we now know the one team George didn’t consider, and would never consider signing with in free agency.

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Paul George says Charlotte Hornets are the worst team to sign with in free agency

Paul George spoke on his podcast about the NBA landscape. While George hasn’t had the opportunity to be a free agent many times, he has always known the one team he refuses to sign with in free agency.

George believes the Charlotte Hornets are the worst team to sign with in free agency, because they have no winning culture. While the city is amazing, the Hornets are basically the destination where NBA careers flounder, according to George.

“Listen, if I’m in free agency, I’m not picking Charlotte, just because there’s no winning culture there alone.

“Charlotte is an amazing city… but in terms of a basketball standpoint? I’m not going. My career’s over with if I go there.”

George’s words are very harsh and will not sit well with fans of the Hornets. While they’ve yet to find tangible NBA success, the Hornets are a proud NBA franchise looking to find their footing in the league.

Philadelphia 76ers hoping PG-13’s stint with them is just getting started

While signing with the Charlotte Hornets might be the end of his career in the eyes of Paul George, he is looking to finally get started with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The former All-Star signed for the 76ers to compete for an NBA championship. But George’s first season with the 76ers was a failure.

Despite this, the 76ers plan to run it back with George and Joel Embiid. For better or worse, the 76ers want to see this pairing through the right way.

So much so that the 76ers gave up Guerschon Yabusele to keep George. It’s clear that the front office has faith in George being a championship piece for the team.

If Paul George can help bring an NBA championship to the 76ers, he will go down as an all-time great for that team.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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