Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives with the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Paul George's time with Sixers could be short-lived

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 5:46 PM ET

Paul George was supposed to be the missing piece for the Philadelphia 76ers. A two-way forward with All-Star upside and over a decade of experience, he was supposed to slot into a new-look big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, George has struggled with injury and has yet to find his stride in the City of Brotherly Love. The veteran forward is averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 42.6% field-goal shooting — his lowest numbers since the 2012-13 season.

In a recent episode of ESPN's "NBA Today," former champion Kendrick Perkins questioned George's lack of impact in a Sixers jersey.

"Paul George, you have to elevate your game," Perkins said. "The Clippers let you walk. They didn't care. They haven't skipped a beat. As a matter of fact, they haven't skipped a beat. They're in the thick of things without you. George was brought over to move the needle, and he's not doing that."

"[Paul George was] brought over to move the needle. ... He's not doing that." @KendrickPerkins and @ShamsCharania on Paul George's recent struggles and the 20-34 Philadelphia 76ers. pic.twitter.com/iVJ5FMk2KR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 13, 2025

George is in the first year of a four-year $211.5 million deal. His lack of impact and production has hindered the Sixers' chances of finishing the season as a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, we're getting dangerously close to seeing the Sixers needing to pull the plug, forcing Daryl Morey to retool during the summer.

If George can't prove that he's capable of elevating Philadelphia's roster, his value to the franchise is minimal. As currently constructed, it's hard to see how the Sixers can go toe-to-toe with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics or even New York Knicks.

Maxey is clearly the future leader of the roster. Opinion on the oft-injured Embiid is starting to shift. And George is already proving to be a costly miscalculation by the Sixers front office.

Sometimes, roster moves don't work out. George could quickly find himself on the trade block in Philadelphia. He joined the team to significant fanfare and wishful thinking, but he may be leaving the city as the biggest bust since Al Horford in the 2019-20 season.

Not every trade or free-agent signing will work out. The hardest part is accepting a mistake was made and moving to rectify it. Whether the Sixers could find a willing buyer for George is a question for another day.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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