Ever since he entered the NBA, All-Star wing Paul George has sported the number 13 throughout his stints with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. Now that he’s playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid’s new teammate will be wearing a new number to honor a legend in the league.
In a pivotal offseason move, George has agreed to a four-year, $212 million max contract with the Sixers. The nine-time All-Star is joining forces with 2023 MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey, forming a formidable trio poised to lead the Sixers’ quest for an NBA title.
After declining his $48.8 million player option with the Clippers, George explored his options in free agency. Despite months of contract negotiations, the Clippers and George were unable to reach an agreement, leading to his departure from the team.
The Sixers have been active in the offseason, further bolstering their roster with the additions of Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Kelly Oubre Jr. They also secured a 5-year, $204 million extension with Maxey, solidifying their core.
With George’s arrival, the Sixers are positioned to make a deep playoff run and challenge the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. The 34-year-old’s scoring prowess, defensive versatility, and postseason experience are expected to significantly boost Philadelphia’s chances of finally breaking through the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2001.
Paul George Reveals the Jersey Number He’ll Using With the Philadelphia 76ers
Before he has even played his first game as a Sixer, George has announced that he’s letting go of number 13 and opted to wear the 8 on his jersey for Philly. This can be seen in an image shared by Philadelphia’s official account on X.
welcome to Philadelphia, @Yg_Trece! pic.twitter.com/lWPae9FiTc
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 7, 2024
Over the course of his entire NBA career , George has averaged 20.8 points on 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He now joins the duo of Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in a bid to lead Philly to a title run next season.
It remains to be seen whether George can succeed in helping the Sixers win a ring or not next year. What’s certain, though, is that his addition will help Philadelphia become more talented against various contenders in the NBA.