Paul George agrees to sign four-year, $212 million deal with Sixers

The Paul George sweepstakes is over and the Philadelphia 76ers have secured their next superstar trio.

George agreed early Monday morning to a four-year, $212 million contract to join the Sixers, according to sources. He has a player option for the final year. This comes after the nine-time All-Star declined his $48.7 million option for next season with the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

The unrestricted free agent was then scheduled to meet with the Sixers, Clippers, and Orlando Magic in L.A. after Sunday’s 6 p.m. start of free agency. In a late meeting with the Sixers, George and his agent, Aaron Mintz, gathered with managing partner Josh Harris, team president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand, and Hall of Famer Julius Erving.

George was eligible to sign an extension in Los Angeles this season, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. The Clippers weren’t willing to give him a fourth year. They didn’t want to offer more than the three-year, $152.3 million deal that Kawhi Leonard received. And they didn’t budge during Sunday’s meeting.

But the 34-year-old was adamant about receiving a four-year maximum salary. Completely at odds, Los Angeles issued a statement about George informing the team that he would sign his next contract elsewhere.

“We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart,” the statement read. “The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract. We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but it would have left us in a similar position under the new CBA, with very little asset value to justify the restrictions.”

As expected, George opted to join the Sixers, forming an All-Star trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

In the end, the Sixers and the struggling Detroit Pistons were the only teams capable of providing the 6-foot-8, 220-pound swingman the maximum-salary contract he desired. And the Pistons weren’t on his wish list.

In the Sixers’ first move, Andre Drummond agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract to return to the team as Embiid’s backup. The Sixers also added Eric Gordon on a one-year, $3.3 million veteran minimum contract. Then they brought back Kelly Oubre Jr. for a two-year, $16.3 million deal. Drummond and Oubre both have player options for their second years.

On Monday morning, Maxey agreed to his five-year, $204 million maximum contract. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris left and will accept a two-year, $52 million deal to play for the Detroit Pistons. De’Anthony Melton also parted ways with the Sixers and accepted a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors. And Nico Batum is leaving for a two-year, $9.6 million contract to return to the Clippers. The Sixers acquired him in a trade from Los Angeles on Nov. 1. Players can officially sign free-agent deals after 12:01 p.m. ET on July 6.

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