NBA free agency officially began Sunday night and the Philadelphia 76ers wasted no time making two huge moves and a few smaller deals that improve the team’s depth.
Forward Tobias Harris signed a two-year/$52 million deal with the Detroit Pistons — putting an end to his tenure with the Sixers after six seasons. Philadelphia quickly signed veteran big man Andre Drummond to a two-year deal to help bolster its frontcourt. Additionally, the Sixers retained guard Kelly Oubre Jr. Oubre, who averaged 15.4 PPG last year, inked a two-year/$16.3 million deal and is expected to be the starting shooting guard entering next season.
While the signings of Oubre and Drummond are solid, they pale in comparison to the signing of Paul George and the extension of Tyrese Maxey. A nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA player, George signed a four-year/$212 million maximum contract with the Sixers. At his best, George is one of the league’s best two-way players.
As for Maxey, Philadelphia wasn’t going to let the rising star hit free agency. Only 23 years old, Maxey was named an All-Star last season and won the Most Improved Player award after averaging 25.9 points and 6.2 assists for the Sixers. The 21st overall pick out of Kentucky in the 2020 NBA Draft, Maxey agreed to a five-year/$204 million maximum contract extension.
George gives Philadelphia a third star to pair with Maxey and former MVP Joel Embiid — a trio that is arguably the league’s best. While the franchise still has some work to do to fill out the roster ahead of next year, the Sixers should be considered a title contender after George’s addition.
