In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves across the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers have officially waived nine-time All-Star Paul George. The move, confirmed by league sources on Thursday morning, comes just weeks after George signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Sixers during the 2025 offseason, a decision that was widely celebrated as a major victory for the franchise in its quest to build a championship contender around MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey.
The decision to waive George comes as both a surprise and a massive pivot for the Sixers’ front office, led by team president Daryl Morey. George had inked a four-year, $212 million max contract with Philadelphia in early July, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers in search of a better opportunity to compete for a title and reunite with familiar faces in the Eastern Conference. The move instantly elevated the Sixers into the championship conversation, with George’s two-way play expected to complement the inside dominance of Embiid and the perimeter quickness of Maxey.
But less than a month into his Philadelphia tenure, the relationship between George and the team appears to have collapsed.
Sources close to the situation say tensions began to surface during the Sixers’ summer training camp sessions, where disagreements reportedly emerged over role expectations, offensive schemes, and George’s conditioning and availability. While no major public incidents were reported, insiders say the vibe around the team grew increasingly uneasy in recent weeks, with George appearing “detached” and “unengaged,” according to one team official.
Additionally, there were early rumblings of friction between George and head coach Nick Nurse. Nurse, known for his demanding defensive system and emphasis on high-effort basketball, reportedly pushed George to embrace a leadership role and elevate his on-court intensity. George, meanwhile, was said to be frustrated with how quickly expectations were placed on him to transform the team’s identity.
But the most significant issue, sources say, involved financial and contractual protections within George’s deal. Despite being awarded a full max contract, league insiders now say the Sixers had structured parts of the agreement with performance clauses and partial guarantees—a strategic move to protect themselves against long-term injury risk. George, who has missed chunks of time in previous seasons due to shoulder and knee injuries, reportedly grew agitated when the team signaled reluctance to fully guarantee certain bonuses tied to games played and playoff performance.
Efforts to resolve the impasse through private negotiations failed, and tensions reportedly reached a boiling point after a closed-door meeting earlier this week between George, his representatives, and senior team officials. Less than 48 hours later, the Sixers opted to waive the 34-year-old forward—absorbing a major financial blow and triggering ripple effects across their roster and future plans.
Waiving George, who was expected to be a cornerstone of the team’s 2025–26 campaign, leaves the Sixers with significant questions about their direction and competitiveness heading into the season. Joel Embiid, who has remained committed to the franchise amid frequent changes in personnel and coaching, is believed to be “surprised and disappointed” by the development, though he has not yet commented publicly.
The Sixers are now faced with a daunting challenge: filling the massive void left by George while maintaining their competitive edge in a loaded Eastern Conference that includes powerhouses like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat. With very little cap flexibility remaining, Philadelphia will likely look to make smaller additions or pursue potential trade opportunities during training camp to stabilize the rotation.
As for George, his next destination remains unclear. Despite the abrupt end to his time in Philadelphia, there’s no doubt that teams across the league will express interest in the veteran forward, who still averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last season with the Clippers and remains one of the NBA’s most skilled perimeter defenders. Contenders in need of wing help—such as the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, or even a reunion with the Clippers—could emerge as potential landing spots, though George will likely need to take a significant pay cut or restructure his contract situation.
The abrupt ending to the Paul George era in Philadelphia is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the modern NBA. What began as a bold, headline-grabbing acquisition has ended in an unceremonious exit, leaving fans, teammates, and league observers stunned by the rapid unraveling of what was supposed to be a championship-caliber trio. For the Sixers, the road forward is now clouded with uncertainty. For George, a new chapter awaits—but one that will come with heightened scrutiny, tempered expectations, and a need to prove that he can still be the difference-maker he was once paid to be.
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