Bill Simmons believes Paul George’s future would be brighter with Magic than 76ers

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George remains a priority for the organization in the offseason, with the wing having a $48 million player option in 2024-25 that he could decline.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic have already emerged as possible suitors for the veteran should he test free agency, but Bill Simmons believes the Magic are a much better landing spot if PG wants to win now as he said on his podcast.

“They (76ers) have cap space, there’s been Paul George rumors, I don’t know why Paul George wouldn’t go to Orlando over Philly if I had the choice and I’m betting on a team, I’m betting on Orlando over Philly, and that’s just me. Not a lot of guys left. This is now year ten of the Embiid era and they’ve never made a conference finals.”

Simmons does have a point. Embiid hasn’t taken the Sixers to the Promised Land, never mind the Conference Finals. Plus, they were just bounced in the first round by the New York Knicks.

The Magic may not be a title contender at this moment in time, but they’re a team on the rise and one who not only needs another cold-blooded scorer like Paul George but who could also use a leader like PG. Add him to a group with the likes of Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner and that’s a pretty scary core

Will Paul George test free agency?

The Clippers have already locked up Kawhi Leonard for the foreseeable future. As Woj pointed out on Friday, Harden and George are their next focus in the summer:

“The Clippers have been without All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard for most of the series with right knee inflammation, but the organization’s goal remains to re-sign free agents Paul George and James Harden alongside Leonard, sources said.”

It does feel unlikely that PG would decline his option and hit the open market. Regardless of what happens in this first-round series with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles proved to be a dangerous team in the regular season with the combo of George, Kawhi, and Harden. They went 51-31.

Yes, playoff success is obviously lacking, but that’s mostly due to injuries, especially to Kawhi. The Clippers will play in the new Intuit Dome next season, which is exciting in itself.

On the other hand, there have been reports saying the Clips are hesitant to give PG max money, which the 76ers, in particular, could offer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst sees Philly as a realistic possibility for George because of their cap space:

“I think Philly is going to come out with a max offer to Paul George,” Windhorst said. “The Clippers are going have to decide max [contract for George] or not, and Paul George is going to have to decide, ‘Do I want to stay [with the Clippers] or not.”

In five seasons with Los Angeles, George has averaged 23 points, six rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 39% shooting from deep. It will be very interesting to see what his decision is in the coming months, but the Magic are definitely a team to keep an eye on for George’s services if free agency becomes a reality.