With the moratorium now lifted, the Philadelphia 76ers have officially signed Paul George off the free agent market, cementing what’s now arguably the most talented Big Three in the NBA as he joins a team spearheaded by the 2023 Most Valuable Player in Joel Embiid and last season’s Most Improved Player in Tyrese Maxey.
George, 34, has signed a four-year, $211.58 million max deal with the 76ers. Philadelphia would be his fourth stop in his 14-year career, which includes lengthy stints in Indiana and Los Angeles, and a brief run in Oklahoma City.
After officially signing with the team, George was quick to bring the fireworks, making a big switch that should get fans all sentimental and thrilled.
New 76ers star Paul George makes shocking announcement
George revealed on Sunday that he is switching his jersey number and will be donning No. 8 next season. He has worn No. 13 since his fourth year in the league and entered the league bearing No. 24 with the Pacers.
However, the 76ers have already retired No. 13 for Wilt Chamberlain and No. 24 for Bobby Jones, prompting George to find a new signature number. He decided with No. 8, a number closely associated to the late great Kobe Bryant, who has long been his idol.
It must be noted that Bryant wore No. 8 in his first 10 years in the NBA before a massive switch to No. 24, also another trademark of his.
Many have forgotten by now, but George initially changed from No. 24 to No. 13 before his freak injury in 2014 for poetic reasons, citing that the nickname PG-13 “had a nice ring to it”.
76ers fans should be able to cop new Paul George merchandise soon, allowing them to get dibs on what would be the nine-time All-Star’s first look putting on the No. 8 at the back of his new Philadelphia kit.