Staring down a massive $211 million contract, the Philadelphia 76ers must decide if Paul George is the final piece of a championship puzzle or a financial roadblock.
The Philadelphia 76ers do not have to trade Paul George just because his first and second seasons with the team did not turn out the way they hoped. However, they do need to be honest about what keeping him means.
George is still a useful player. Even in a season where injuries and suspensions limited his impact, he averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. That is still starter-level production from a veteran wing who can shoot, defend, handle the ball, and create in the half-court.
That is why keeping George makes sense if Philadelphia’s goal is to run it back with the current core.
A team built around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, George, and VJ Edgecombe still has enough talent to be dangerous if healthy. George gives the Sixers size on the wing, playoff experience, and another shot-maker next to Maxey. If Philadelphia believes Embiid can anchor a contender and Edgecombe can take a second-year leap, moving George just to move him would weaken the roster.
The problem is the money.
George signed a four-year, $211.6 million deal with the Sixers. He is set to make $54.1 million in 2026-27. That is a massive commitment for a player entering his mid-30s, especially on a roster that already has major money tied to Embiid and Maxey.
That is where the rebuild argument becomes stronger. If the Sixers decide this version of the roster has hit its ceiling, trading George would be a salary dump. Philadelphia could pivot toward Maxey and Edgecombe as the foundation, prioritize younger players, add draft capital, and create a cleaner financial timeline.
The front office’s decision should come down to direction. If Philadelphia wants one more serious run, George should stay because his skill set still helps the current roster. If the Sixers want to reset, then keeping a $50-plus million veteran wing makes little sense.
The decision will depend on whether the front office thinks they have hit their ceiling or if they think they could make a deep run next year.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected].
