The Knicks and the Celtics may have company in a loaded top of the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers are feeling more optimistic about landing top free agent Paul George, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
George, a nine-time All-Star, declined his $48.8 million player option on Saturday. He would give the 76ers a third star by joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
He is the biggest name on the free agent market without a known destination. LeBron James is expected to return to the Lakers after opting out of his contract on Saturday.
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If the 76ers can land George it would create another team on paper, in addition to the Knicks, that could challenge the defending champion Celtics in the Eastern Conference. T
he Knicks significantly improved themselves over the last week by trading for Mikal Bridges and agreeing on a new deal with OG Anunoby.
George, a dynamic 6-foot-8 wing, is coming off a strong season, one in which he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and shot a blistering 41.3 percent from 3-point range.
While there are age and injury concerns with the 42-year-old George, he did appear in 74 regular season games last year for the Clippers. It was his most games since appearing in 77 contests as a member of the Thunder in 2018-19.
A return to the Clippers is still considered possible, while the Magic and Mavericks have also been linked to the veteran standout. The Clippers can offer George as much as a four-year, $221 million maximum contract, but they have reportedly been reluctant to give him a fourth year.
Instead, he has a three-year, $152.4 million deal on the table from his former team. The 76ers can pay George up to $212 million across the next four seasons.
“People saying chasing a championship,” George said during a recent episode of his podcast. “It’s not that, but it’s playing the right style of basketball is what I’m chasing.”
