Tag: Paul

76ers spend $400M in contracts for Paul George, Maxey

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FILE – Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 17, 2024. George will sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press early Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, FIle)

PHILADELPHIA — Paul George ditched LA and decided to help form a new Big Three in Philly with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Of course, Maxey needed to stick around to complete the talented trio — and the Philadelphia 76ers went all in on lavish, long-term contracts to make that happen.

Up first, George agreed overnight to a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract after the nine-time NBA All-Star spurned the Los Angeles Clippers. Maxey was on deck, and the first-time All-Star soon agreed in principle by sunrise Monday to a five-year, $204 million extension.

The 76ers threw down the gauntlet while most of the NBA was sleeping — committing more than $400 million in salary to two players they believe position them as the top contender to dethrone the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Here they come, team of the year?

Hold up.

READ: NBA: Paul George set to join 76ers on $212 million deal

The 76ers have been down this high-priced, high-expectations road before without a championship to show for their efforts. They have failed to find the right pieces to field a winner around their franchise player Embiid, falling short in their star hunting with Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Al Horford and a list that goes on and on.

They’ll try again, this time with George in tow — not as the elite centerpiece he was asked to be in the past with Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Clippers, but in a complementary role to Embiid, hopeful his 34-year-old legs can hold up over the long haul to ease some of the burden on the 2023 NBA MVP. The 76ers were a bottom feeder when Embiid was hurt last season — and he’s often injured — so rolling the dice on a player widely considered the best available on the free-agent market was a chance team president Daryl Morey was willing to take.

George and Maxey intend to sign their contracts shortly after the league’s moratorium on signings is lifted on Saturday, a person with knowledge of the deals told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not yet finalized. Though the ink hasn’t hit the contracts yet, the 76ers already are a sports betting darling, jumping to an 8-1 favorite to win the 2025 title behind Boston and Denver, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

“We’re planning on being the best team in the East next season,” Morey said last week during the draft.

George at least should keep them in the mix in the East and give them a viable No. 1 scoring option when Embiid is out.

READ: NBA: 76ers president Daryl Morey has big plans for Embiid, Maxey

The 76ers finished 31-8 in the regular season with Embiid — about a 65-win pace — and a woeful 16-27 without him.

The Sixers were a play-in tournament team this season and lost to New York in the first round. The Knicks also made an early splash in their bid to remain in the championship picture. They agreed to a $210 million deal with OG Anunoby and are set to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn in deals that only increased the pressure on Morey to take a big swing at the free-agent fence.

Morey and the 76ers devised this plan as far back as a year ago when they asked Maxey to play out the final year of his rookie contract and wait a summer for an extension to free up the salary cap space needed to pursue free agents. Morey then took on only expiring contracts and draft picks in his deals throughout the season — notably in trading Harden to the Clippers and signing veteran Kyle Lowry to a short-term deal — that left the 76ers with essentially only Embiid and Maxey as the lone key holdovers on the roster once the season ended and roughly $65 million in cap space this summer.

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey NBA

Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey (0) gestures after making a 3-point basket during the second half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Monday, April 22, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

“This offseason’s a big one,” Morey said after the 76ers were knocked out of the playoffs. “I owe it to the fans, to ownership, to everybody to get this team where we’re in a place where we’re competing for championships.”

George — who has averaged 20.8 points over a 14-year career — wanted to move on from the Clippers and declined a player option in his contract for $48.8 million in 2024-2025 that ended a five-year stretch with the team in which he averaged at least 21.5 points each season.

READ: NBA: 76ers waste another season of Joel Embiid’s prime

The Clippers’ attempt at winning it all with their Big Three of George, Kawhi Leonard and Harden fell flat.

“The gap was significant,” the Clippers said Sunday night in a news release. ”We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

He looked all the way across the U.S. to Philadelphia.

George joins a Sixers team that has been a perennial underachiever, even as Embiid blossomed into one of the top players in the NBA. Philadelphia has not won an NBA title since 1983 or even advanced out of the second round of the playoffs since 2001.

Embiid, set to play this summer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, fueled rumors that George was headed to Philly during a TV appearance together during the NBA Finals.

“Hopefully this offseason, we find a way to get better, and you know,” Embiid said, pausing to side-eye George, “add some pieces.”

The 76ers did strengthen their roster with the expected addition of center Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon and the return of Kelly Oubre Jr. in more deals expected to be announced as early as Saturday. The 76ers are also high on first-round draft pick Jared McCain out of Duke. And George is an upgrade in talent over the departed — and much-maligned — Tobias Harris.

Maxey was named the league’s most improved player this season. His scoring rose for the third consecutive year, and he finished the regular season averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game — all career bests.

George is a six-time member of the All-NBA Team. He’s a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team and was the league’s most improved player in 2013. He was a finalist for both NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, when he led the league with 2.21 steals per contest. George also has never played in an NBA Finals.

Much like Embiid’s, George’s injury history should give the 76ers reason for some concern. George played 76 games last season, the first time he played more than 56 since 2018-19.

Still, with few available options, and money to burn, the 76ers had little choice but to chase an aging — yet still elite — star such as George.

“It’s a big offseason for us,” Morey said in May. “We obviously have two great studs to build around in Joel and Tyrese.”



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They hope they found a third one in George.

Sprint king Jan Paul Morales rules Go For Gold Criterium Series 2

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Jan Paul Morales rules the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City.

Jan Paul Morales blazed the road to victory in a thrilling, high-speed bunch finish during the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 on Sunday at City Di Mare in Cebu City.

The reigning national champion from Standard Insurance continental team sprinted away in the final 50 meters to beat Esteve Hora Jr. of SIP team and Go For Gold’s Marc Ryan Lago.

Morales, a two-time local Tour champion and sprint specialist, clocked 55:00.79 in the men’s elite category after racing through 35 laps at the 1.1-kilometer course with Hora, the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 1 champion early this year, and Lago less than a second behind.

“I waited for the chance [to pull away] and I got a good chance in the end,” said Morales in Filipino at the end of the day-long series of races that aimed to bring back the animated local atmosphere in the sport.

READ: Jan Paul Morales snatches leader’s jersey

Mathilda Krogg shared the limelight by topping the women’s open in 41:04.71 (20 laps) while her Standard Insurance teammates Raven Joy Valdez and Angela Joy Marie Bermejo checked in second and third with just a fraction of a second behind.

Steven Tablizo saw a narrow path to victory in the men’s under-23 category to the frustration of SIP’s Rrking Roque and James Paul Ryan Escumbien, while John Arwin Velasco cut loose in the last three laps to show the way in a 1-2 finish for Go For Gold in the men’s junior category.

Velasco soloed it home in completing the 22km top-acceleration pursuit in 32:03.37 followed by teammate Marvin Mandac (23.14 seconds behind) and UTB’s Clent Detalla (23.20).

Mary Gweniele Francisco nosed out Vianne Angel Pagnanawon in claiming the women’s junior title after racing for 16 laps in 36 minutes and 35 seconds.

READ: Go For Gold pulls off historic win in national cycling championships

Prince Jay Elbanbuena secured the men’s youth crown in 26:45.48 after beating Clyde Deiparine of Gealon Racing Team and Juanito Gilbuela III of MACYC, while Maritanya Krog ruled the women’s side after 12 laps (28:11.64) over Maria Louisse Alejado and Yvonne Alejado.

In the manager’s category, Philip Sainz rode solo to the finish in 27:25.71 for the win with Edgar Pastor arriving second (17.80) and Ryan Sayre placing third (33.70).

“Aside from organizing safe and well-run races to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines, these races serve as talent identification,’’ said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.

Veteran cyclist Ronnel Hualda zoomed to the finish in the last few hundred meters to topple Jessie Sanchez of Keith Defiebre Cycling Team and Ramonito Espinosa to rule the men’s 40 and above category in 32:21.36.

Roy Carbonera reigned supreme in the men’s 30-39 category over 20 laps (34:46.32) with Ramonito Espinosa at second and Albert Basirgo and third places.



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The final leg of this year’s criterium series will be staged in either September or October in Mindanao.

Paul George will leave Clippers, Caldwell-Pope to Magic

On: By: admin


Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George works against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, his now-former team announced Sunday night, with all signs pointing to the nine-time NBA All-Star perhaps returning to the Eastern Conference and joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

George could command more than $200 million over four years if his next contract is for max value.

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers said in a release Sunday night.

READ: NBA: Clippers sign coach Tyronn Lue to new long-term deal

The team added, “We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

George had a $48.8 million option for this coming season but did not exercise it, entering free agency — which opened Sunday night — instead. It was believed there was a chance that George and the Clippers could have still gotten something done, but the team made clear that those hopes are gone.

“We will miss Paul,” the Clippers said.

At 34, George is still elite — averaging 22.6 points this past season, the ninth consecutive season in which he has averaged at least 20 points per game.

Meanwhile, James Harden is staying with the Clippers on a two-year contract that includes a player option, a person with knowledge of that decision told The Associated Press earlier Sunday.

READ: James Harden set to stay with Clippers as NBA free agency opens

Harden’s deal — which could be worth up to $70 million if he opts into 2025-26 — was agreed upon in principle before free agency technically started, said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because neither Harden nor the Clippers had announced the agreement.

Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star, averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists last season for the Clippers, who will move into their new Intuit Dome home when this coming season starts.

Elsewhere, veteran guard Chris Paul is going to team up with rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of that agreement said.

Paul was waived earlier Sunday by the Golden State Warriors, who would have had to pay him $30 million for the coming season otherwise. ESPN reported the Spurs will pay Paul around $11 million. The 39-year-old Paul averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 58 games with the Warriors last season.

READ: NBA: Chris Paul joining Victor Wembanyana at Spurs

And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to bring his championship experience to the Orlando Magic, a team that made a big jump this past season and now is trying to become an even stronger contender in the East.

Caldwell-Pope — a two-time champion guard — was finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to AP because the deal cannot be finalized until the league’s offseason moratorium is lifted on July 6.

It’s a big get for the rising Magic, who won 47 games — their most in 13 years — and got back to the playoffs this past season. Caldwell-Pope was part of title-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He averaged 10.1 points for the Nuggets this past season while shooting nearly 41% from 3-point range.

In other moves Sunday:

— Kevin Love was completing a new two-year contract with the Miami Heat worth about $8 million, a person with knowledge of that deal told AP, the move coming one day after he did not opt into what would have been a $4 million contract for this coming season with the club. Love had said repeatedly last season that he has no intentions of leaving Miami.

— Andre Drummond agreed to a two-year contract worth about $10 million (the second year as an option) to join the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that he appeared in 49 games for during the 2021-22 season. Drummond spent the last two seasons in Chicago — he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds this past season in only 17 minutes per game — and would be valuable insurance alongside Joel Embiid in the 76ers’ big-man rotation. “I’m in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak,” Drummond posted on social media.

— Obi Toppin is being rewarded nicely for his strong first season with Indiana. A person with knowledge of the agreement said he and the Pacers were finalizing a four-year deal worth nearly $60 million. Toppin averaged a career-best 10.3 points last season, his first with Indiana after three years in New York.

— Promising wing Max Christie is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers with a four-year, $32 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told AP. The 21-year-old Christie averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists during his first two NBA seasons.



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— The NBA set the salary cap at at $140.588 million for the 2024-25 season, down slightly — about $400,000 or so — from what teams had been told to expect. The tax level was set at $170.814 million, the first apron level will be $178.132 million, the second apron level will be $188.931 million, the non-taxpayer mid-level is $12.822 million, the taxpayer mid-level is $5.168 million, and the room mid-level is $7.983 million.

NBA: Paul George set to join 76ers on $212 million deal

On: By: admin


FILE–Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

PHILADELPHIA — Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said early Monday morning.

A nine-time All-Star, George intends to sign the contract shortly after the league’s moratorium on signings is lifted July 6, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be announced by NBA rule until that time.

With George joining 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers will boast one of the most formidable trios in the league.

George picked Philadelphia after he spurned the Los Angeles Clippers and declined a player option in his contract for $48.7 million in 2024-2025, ending a five-year stretch with the team where he averaged at least 21.5 points each season.

READ: NBA: Paul George will leave Clippers, Caldwell-Pope to Magic

George has averaged 20.8 points over a 14-year career spent with Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Clippers.

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers said in a release Sunday night.

The team added: “We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

He looked all the way across to Philadelphia.

The 34-year-old George joins a Sixers team that has been a perennial underachiever, even as Embiid blossomed into one of the top players in the NBA. They have not won an NBA title since 1983 or even advanced out of the second round of the Eastern Conference since 2001.

READ: NBA: 76ers president Daryl Morey has big plans for Embiid, Maxey

Embiid fueled rumors George was headed to Philadelphia during a TV appearance together during the NBA Finals.

“Hopefully this offseason, we find a way to get better, and you know,” Embiid said, pausing to side-eye George, “add some pieces.”

The 76ers have failed to find the right pieces to build around Embiid, failing with Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, James Harden and the list goes on. Team president Daryl Morey had prepared for this opportunity for years, building a roster with essentially all expired contracts at the end of this past season. Embiid and Maxey, expected to sign a five-year, $205 million contract this summer, are the lone key holdovers on a team chasing NBA champion Boston, New York and Indiana.

George is a six-time member of the All-NBA Team. He’s a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team and was the league’s most improved player in 2013. He was a finalist for both NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, when he led the league with 2.21 steals per contest.

Much like Embiid, George’s injury history should give the 76ers reason for concern. George played 76 games last season, the first time he played more than 56 since 2018-19.

Still, with few available options, and plenty of cap space, the 76ers had little choice but to chase an aging — yet, still elite — star such as George.

“We’re planning on being the best team in the East next season,” Morey said during the NBA draft.



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George at least keeps them in the mix in the East.

Chris Paul joins Wembanyana at Spurs as NBA free agency opens

On: By: admin


San Antonio Spurs’ French center #01 Victor Wembanyama (L) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors’ US guard #03 Chris Paul after the NBA preseason game between the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, California on October 20, 2023. (Photo by Loren Elliott / AFP)

Chris Paul is set to form a partnership with Victor Wembanyama at the San Antonio Spurs next season after agreeing a one-year $11 million deal with the franchise, reports said Sunday as NBA free agency got underway.

The 39-year-old, 12-time NBA All-Star, who played for Golden State last season, will now spend his 20th season in Texas as he chases an elusive first championship ring.

Paul was used sparingly by the Warriors last year, making only 18 starts at an average of 11.9 points and 7.3 assists.

However, the likely future Hall of Famer provides crucial experience in a young squad that is being built around the talents of French prodigy Wembanyama under the guidance of veteran coach Gregg Popovich.

Paul is also an avowed admirer of Wembanyama, describing the towering 7ft 4in center as the player best placed to be the figurehead of the league in years to come.

READ: NBA: Warriors’ Chris Paul returns after missing 21 games

“Wemby is different and he’s the guy you’re talking about after the game,” Paul said. “Wemby is the guy that, after the game in the locker room we all were talking about playing against him. We literally all had to change how we shot a little bit.”

The Warriors announced earlier Sunday they had waived Paul in a move to save luxury tax funds.

Golden State star guard Klay Thompson is now a free agent. The 13-year NBA veteran, every second of it played for the Warriors, is expected to have talks with Dallas, Philadelphia, the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In other free agency news on Sunday, James Harden was reported to have reached a two-year deal to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.

With teams unable to confirm new deals, media reports revealed most player moves in the opening hours of the scramble for clubs and talent to come to terms to reshape the landscape for the 2024-25 season.

READ: NBA: Chris Paul fractures left hand, will require surgery

The NBA moratorium period begins Monday and ends on Saturday.

Paul George, a former Clippers forward, was the biggest name in the available talent pool and his deal was expected to set the tone for more moves.

He was expected to have talks with Philadelphia and Orlando. Those clubs and Oklahoma City have the most salary cap space to offer deals to free agents.

Harden, according to multiple reports, reached a deal worth $70 million to spend the next two seasons with the Clippers.

READ: NBA: James Harden set to stay with Clippers

Forward Kevin Love was expected to re-sign with Miami for $8 million over two seasons, The Athletic and ESPN reported, while ESPN reported center Obi Toppin was set to return to Indiana on a four-year deal worth $60 million.

Turkish center Omer Yertseven was set to be released by Utah, ESPN said.

Another free agent is Lakers star LeBron James, although he is expected to re-sign with the Lakers to play alongside son Bronny next season.

James reportedly has said he would take a pay cut if it would help the Lakers sign certain top free agents such as Thompson.



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The NBA announced the salary cap for the 2024-25 campaign was set at $140.588 million with the tax level for the season at $170.814 million and the minimum team salary at $126.529 million.