When Paul George hit free agency this offseason, it was clear his time with the Clippers was over. They had just been bounced in the first round by the Mavericks, didn’t have future draft picks to lean on, and were stuck relying on an always-injured Kawhi Leonard and an up-and-down James Harden. Letting George walk felt like a massive risk for a team that has no choice but to compete now. And when George didn’t end up traded to the Warriors like the rumors said and instead signed a four-year, $212 million deal with the 76ers, it left the Clippers looking super vulnerable—no picks, no return for a 9-time All-Star, and no clear plan.
Shockingly, though, the Clippers are 9-7 this season, even with Kawhi still out. Their roster has been punching above its weight, while George missed the start of the season with a knee injury, and the 76ers are sitting dead last in the East at 2-12, as George looks injured once more. It’s starting to look like the Clippers nailed this one, flipping George for depth and versatility instead of clinging to a star. And with Leonard set to return in January, things are somehow trending up for a team everyone thought was done.
What The Clippers Got In Exchange
By letting Paul George walk and using their cap space wisely, the Clippers have turned what looked like a disaster into a legit win. Leading the charge is Norman Powell, who’s been absolutely balling this season. He’s averaging 23.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 15 games, making him the team’s top scorer and one of the most consistent offensive threats on the roster. Powell has stepped into the spotlight seamlessly, proving he can carry a bigger load without George around.
The Clippers also made some sneaky good pickups in free agency. Derrick Jones Jr. came over from the Mavericks on a 3-year, $30M deal and has been a two-way stud, putting up 9.9 points per game while locking down opponents on the wing. Then there’s Kevin Porter Jr., a super controversial signing because of his off-court issues, but he’s contributing 8.3 points per game off the bench at just $2M annually. While the gamble on Porter raised eyebrows, it’s clear the Clippers see his scoring punch as worth the risk.
Beyond those two, the Clippers rounded out their rotation with underrated additions like Kris Dunn, who’s giving them 7.8 points per game as a reliable backup guard, and Mo Bamba, who chips in 6.3 points per game while backing up the rock-solid Ivica Zubac. Speaking of Zubac, he’s in the middle of the best season of his career, averaging an impressive 15.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Zubac has become a cornerstone for the team, controlling the paint on both ends and taking a huge step forward this year.
And then, of course, there’s James Harden. While his shooting percentages have been shaky, Harden has still been a major contributor, averaging 20.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 7.7 rebounds in 16 games. He recently passed Ray Allen to become second all-time in three-pointers made, trailing only Steph Curry. The Clippers’ depth and versatility are showing, and even without George, they’ve put together a roster that’s holding its own and then some.
The 76ers’ Cruel Reality
Things couldn’t look worse for the 76ers right now. They’re sitting at 2-12, dead last in the East—even below tanking teams like the Wizards and Nets. And the cherry on top? Paul George has been a total disappointment so far. After signing that huge $212 million deal, he missed the first five games of the season with a bone bruise in his knee, and since coming back, he’s looked like a shell of himself. Over eight games, he’s putting up 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, but he’s shooting just 38% from the field and an ugly 27% from deep.
The latest blow came against the Grizzlies last game. George only lasted 17 minutes before hyper-extending his left knee—the same one that kept him out earlier this season—after grabbing a rebound. He left the game with just two points and four boards, and now it looks like he’s gonna miss more time. It’s hard to overstate how brutal this is for the Sixers, who are already drowning in injuries.
Joel Embiid has only played in four games and is averaging 19.3 points on a rough 37% shooting. Tyrese Maxey was their bright spot for a while, but now he’s sidelined with a hip injury, leaving rookie Jared McCain to try and hold things together. Spoiler: it’s not working. To make matters worse, there’s drama in the locker room—in a team meeting, Maxey called out Embiid for constantly being late to team activities.
At this point, it’s hard not to feel like George’s deal is turning into a nightmare. The Clippers saw the writing on the wall and let him walk, and they’re thriving without him. Meanwhile, the 76ers are a mess, and unless something drastic changes, it’s already looking like they should just start thinking about next year.
Was This A Win By The Clippers?
Looking at the situation right now, absolutely. The Clippers played this position perfectly. By letting Paul George walk, they avoided locking themselves into a risky long-term deal with a player who’s already struggling to stay on the court. George’s knee problems have followed him to Philadelphia, and the 76ers are stuck at the bottom of the standings with no clear path forward. It’s not just bad luck—it’s a reminder of why investing heavily in aging, injury-prone stars can backfire.
Meanwhile, the Clippers didn’t just survive—they thrived. They used the financial freedom to bring in quality role players and build a team that isn’t overly reliant on any one person. Even with Kawhi Leonard out, they’re over .500, showing resilience and depth that the Sixers can only dream of.
It’s clear now that the Clippers saw what was coming and made the smarter choice. Instead of chasing nostalgia or reputation, they prioritized flexibility and depth—and it’s paying off in ways the Sixers can’t match right now. It’s still early days in the Clippers’ season, but for now, this move wasn’t just a win; it was a masterclass in knowing when to move on.
