76ers optimistic about landing Paul George in NBA free agency

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.

Follow all the latest updates on NBA free agency, including signings, trades and rumors.

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.”