The Philadelphia 76ers will have to navigate the remainder of the season without star Paul George due to a persistent left adductor muscle and knee injury. The team had signed George to a $211.5 million contract last summer, but his short tenure has cast doubts on his ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level. With George’s age and injury history, the 76ers may be stuck with this contract for an extended period.
The situation is further complicated by George’s subpar performance this season, averaging just 16.2 points per game, which is his lowest average since his sophomore year. This raises concerns about his ability to bounce back in future seasons. As a result, teams around the league may view him as too risky as a trade target.
However, the Sixers have found some light at the end of the tunnel with Quentin Grimes’ emergence as a key player. The 24-year-old has been playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 19.9 points per game and displaying efficiency on higher volume. His ability to play multiple positions, including both two and three, makes him an attractive asset for the team.
With George out, Grimes is poised to take on a more significant role and likely increase his market value. The 76ers should not be discouraged by Grimes’ impending free agency status; instead, they should consider spending to retain this talented player.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2025/03/17/sixers-paul-george-out-for-year-opens-up-more-time-for-grimes