Nine-time All-Star Paul George is set to hit the open market after he declined his player option on June 29. The Philadelphia 76ers have long been connected to George as a potential suitor should he enter free agency. Just a couple of hours before the official start, rumors circulated that the odds of George coming to Philadelphia were increasing.
One such rumor not only acknowledged the 76ers’ pursuit of George but also reported that the team would look to get creative with their immense cap space, attempting to sign another notable free agent.
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported the latest on the Sixers’ free agency situation via his Substack, reporting that the 76ers are pursuing former Denver Nuggets wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in addition to Paul George this summer:
“League sources say that the ever-ambitious 76ers, meanwhile, have explored the feasibility (and presumed salary-cap gymnastics it would require) of maneuvering to try to come away with both George and Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. There has been a growing expectation all week that Denver is poised to lose Caldwell-Pope … perhaps even without compensation.“
Caldwell-Pope, or KCP, has often been mentioned as a potential target for Philadelphia should they miss out on George. Now, it appears the team is looking for a way to potentially add one of the free agency’s top role players in addition to adding its top true free agent.
George has long been an interesting fit for Philadelphia due to his high-level two-way ability on the wing. KCP has a similar fit in a more refined role. If the 76ers find a way to add both players this offseason, not only will it be one of the most impressive instances of cap manipulation in recent NBA history, but it will launch Philadelphia far closer to the status of the New York Knicks and the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Stay tuned, as updates will be made available as they are known.
