Jason Burgos
Over the weekend, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 2025-26 season came to a miserable end in a 30-point loss to put the finishing touches on a four-game sweep by the New York Knicks in the semifinals of the NBA playoffs. Being so soundly defeated by their I-95 rivals sent a clear message that changes will be made this summer.
That officially began on Tuesday when the 76ers ousted president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey. While they would be open to moving Joel Embiid and the $186 million left on his contract, a deal is extremely unlikely. However, that may not be the case with fellow expensive and often-injured veteran Paul George.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the nine-time All-Star “has somewhat rehabilitated his trade value around the NBA,” and the potential to opt out of the final year in his deal in 2028 and sign a lower annual average for a long-term pact could make him appealing to some teams this summer.
With that in mind, let’s look at four potential trades the 76ers could make in the offseason for Paul George.
Paul George to Kings for Zach LaVine
The Sacramento Kings have their own well-overpaid, injury-prone swingman in Zach LaVine. While he is only 31, the two-time All-Star has played in 50 or more games just once over the last three seasons. However, assuming he picks up his player option for next season, Philly would still take him to see what a season alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe would look like.
There is risk in the deal for the Kings since George is older, but he is probably a much better fit with Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan if they can’t be traded and remain on the roster next season.
Paul George & 2027 first-rounder to Bulls for Patrick Williams
In any deal, the 76ers will probably need to take back a bad contract. One idea would be to ship George to the Chicago Bulls for Patrick Williams. The forward has three years left on his deal, but for a total less than what George makes in a season. Giving them far more cap flexibility in the short and long-term. Especially if they give Maxey an extension soon.
For the Bulls, if healthy, George makes them far better and could be the veteran leader they need while they continue to develop Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. And for the Sixers, they free up a ton of cap space and get a solid depth piece for the bench.
Paul George to Heat for Andrew Wiggins & Nikola Jovic
If Andrew Wiggins opts into the final year of his current contract with the Miami Heat — which he is expected to do — he, along with Nikola Jovic, to make the money matchup, could be a target in a summer Paul George trade.
While the trade would be a risk for Miami, if they can’t swing a big deal for a star this summer — Giannis Antetokounmpo — and lose Norman Powell in free agency, George would be a good backup plan to fill that scoring void while improving their defense slightly.
Paul George to Pelicans for Jordan Poole & Herb Jones
Another direction the 76ers can go to move George is to get the New Orleans Pelicans on the phone and see about their interest in taking the future Hall of Famer in a deal for Jordan Poole and Herb Jones. The guard is way overpaid at $34 million next season, but it is the last year of his deal.
The Pelicans would certainly be a better team next season if George can stay healthy most of the year. For the 76ers, they get a good bench scorer for a year and a nice perimeter defender in Jones to further round out the roster.
