The Philadelphia 76ers are starting to gain real momentum in the standings. Unconvinced? Well, how about their recent win on Christmas against the defining champions, the Boston Celtics, on the road? After tallying their most impressive game yet, there is no denying that this team has become much better than it has been for the most part this season.
Joel Embiid is starting to get settle after missing games here and there due to injury. Tyrese Maxey has become one of the best closers in the league this season. Role players who initially underwhelmed like Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. are starting to reound into form. But what’s missing? Paul George.
George, the 76ers’ prime free agency addition, has been pretty measly to start the season. So far, in 18 games, he has averaged 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per outing on an abysmal 40.6 percent shooting from the field, which includes a 31 percent conversion rate from three-point range after posting career-highs across the board in shooting last season. Clearly, the max contract Philadelphia’s brass gifted him is aging pretty poorly and quickly.
The 76ers could jump in on the Jimmy Butler trade rumor mill
The biggest development so far in the league in recent days is the rumored trade demand coming out of Jimmy Butler and his camp. The Miami Heat are now reportedly being more proactive to make do on such “request”, though the All-Star’s contract situation as an impending free agent should he decline his player option — which he definitely will — makes thing a lot trickier.
So far, Butler has not included the 76ers as one of his preferred destinations, but Philly nevertheless has a viable framework to get a deal done for the former Sixer, largely by incentivizing Pat Riley and company to shoulder George’s contract in return, alongside some pot sweeteners, of course.
Trading for a massive flight risk like Butler would normally come off as a stupid idea, but the 76ers would actually probably welcome that risk. The George signing has been pretty bad, and Philly getting some cap relief should Butler indeed skips town hypothetically would be a positive development no matter where you look at it.
At this point, the Philadelphia 76ers should not remain mum about any potential shot at rectifying a huge mistake that does not seem like it would correct itself. They do not have that luxury, and dealing with an aging Paul George seems like the most tedious idea for the title-desperate franchise.