No. 1: Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Aside from LeBron, George is the single biggest name expected to test the free agency waters. After another All-Star appearance in his first season with OKC, he’s expected to be weighing the Thunder and Lakers as options. The Sixers have an outside chance of sneaking into the conversation.
Strengths
George epitomizes the 3-and-D label as a star, shooting 40.1 percent from deep and nearly making Second Team All-Defense last season. He’s the perfect complimentary star — boasting just enough shot-making ability to survive on his own, but possessing the off-ball skills needed to play with Russell Westbrook.
At 6-foot-8, George’s long arms and solid frame give him ample versatility on the defensive end. He can guard three or four positions successfully, cutting off passing lanes and, in the words of Marc Zumoff, locking all windows and doors in isolation.
His scoring average dropped slightly last season, but that was expected from somebody who transitioned into a secondary role next to Russ. He also made up for that with defensive effort, averaging a career-high 2.0 steals per game.
As arguably one of the 15 best players on the planet, George is the rare star that can fit in almost any system without major adjustments. He plays within the offense and can compliment other stars seamlessly.
Weaknesses
George doesn’t have a ton of weaknesses, but his ball-handling and playmaking skills aren’t on the same level as most superstars. He can hit tough shots and attack closeouts relentlessly, but he doesn’t always have the shake and craftiness needed to free himself up in isolation.
Fit
If the Sixers can land a meeting with George, there’s reason to believe he would at least consider making the move to South Philly. In terms of pure on-court fit, you could argue that he’s superior to both LeBron and Kawhi Leonard.
He’d be another knockdown shooter to pair with to Simmons and Embiid, while also giving Brett Brown a go-to scorer who can make shots at all three levels. He’s not an advanced ball-handler, but the Sixers don’t necessarily need that. They just need another player capable of getting his own shots off when the ball slows down.
His defensive versatility would also be a huge upgrade, especially if he was paired with either Robert Covington or Kawhi Leonard. That would give the Sixers three All-NBA defenders and Ben Simmons, who’s quickly approaching that level.
Next: Top 5 free agents in the Central Division
In short, George fits. It’s just a matter whether or not the Sixers can crack the discussion and get him to listen to their pitch, something that may prove difficult.