“We were always kind of scrambling, I think, trying to figure out all right, this is how we got to play tonight. This is how, you know, we going to run through this. We going to run through that now,” said Paul George, when recalling the discussion that used to go on in the Philadelphia 76ers locker room in Joel Embiid’s absence. The team’s star player had missed 63 of 82 games in the recent season due to ailments, leaving others to figure out game plans. Despite his veteran status, Paul George was new to the 76ers squad and lacked the bond with the team that could have made him an efficient leader. Therefore, for the next season, the player is making some bold promises. He can count on a renowned rapper to help him out with this!

41-year-old Gillie Da Kid was the guest on the recent episode of Paul George’s ‘Podcast P’. As the conversation concluded, and George gave his thanks to his guest for taking the time out, he also added that “You got my word man, we turning this sh*t around here”. In turn, Kid emphasized to the audience how Paul George agreed to take on “the veteran leadership role over in the locker room”, and “make sure the culture right”. Turning to the 76ers star, the rapper reminded him of how the player used to listen to Wayne to get some inspiration. Either that or to just set the mood right. That old technique, according to Gille Da Kid, needs to be brought back to give the Philadelphia 76ers squad an edge.

“Wayne. Take Wayne in the locker room man, just to put that tape in, man,” said Kid. Well, Paul George should take any advice that comes his way. After all, he has taken up a big responsibility.

Expectations were for the Philadelphia 76ers to have an impressive run during the 2024-25 season after the acquisition of Paul George, and Joel Embiid signing a 3-year contract extension worth $193 million. The Cameroonian clearly said, “You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started!”. Unfortunately, Embiid’s continued absence didn’t bring the team close to championship contention and left them at the bottom of the conference table.

Paul George himself couldn’t be as effective. First of all, he played in only 41 games in the season, due to his injury. By late February, George had played in 38 games and averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. The last time Paul George had a lower points average than that was during the 2014-15 season. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that the player had gone on a vacation with his wife during the All-Star break when the team was in such a bad condition.

Nothing can be done about spilled milk. However, the 9x NBA All-Star will hopefully be better in the next season.

It is not as if the player had attempted to fix the 76ers’ bad condition. He took a break from his podcast in February “to focus on getting my body right, getting mentally right, and, you know, help this squad make a push towards our goal to finish the season out”. Along with veteran Kyle Lowry, he took the initiative with game plans. All of that, however, showed that George will have to do things differently for next year. Or, maybe not. After all, the Philadelphia 76ers front office might end up bringing in some star reinforcement, but at the expense of Paul George.

Will Paul George be traded away in exchange for Kevin Durant?

According to a recent report by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) are “potential targets” in an upcoming trade package to the Philadelphia 76ers. In return, the Phoenix Suns could get Paul George and the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft. The latter is most likely expected to be Airious “Ace” Bailey. Additionally, Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar believes that the Phoenix Suns can also receive Quentin Grimes through a Sign-and-Trade deal.

Acquiring Kevin Durant could go a long way in improving the 76ers’ offense. After all, Durant’s ability to create his shot and stretch defenses could open up opportunities for Embiid in the post, and for Tyrese Maxey on the perimeter. With Paul George’s 4-year, $211.58 million contract still in its early stages, there is no better time than now to move him.

“Trading the pick could do two important things for the 76ers. The first, obviously, would be to help push this team back toward contention next season by swapping out the declining George for an upgrade. The second, and arguably more important part, would be getting out of the last three years of George’s contract before it becomes too onerous to move,” wrote CBS Sports reporter Sam Quinn.

Not everyone would be excited if this trade took place, though. Liberty Ballers reporter Josh Grieb said that “sitting on their young talent and assets — seeing what they have in each of them and prioritizing a longer term outlook will likely benefit this team more. Despite a wide open conference that was already weak to begin with, the Sixers aren’t in a position to go all in again”. Paul George and the 3rd draft pick is certainly a big gamble. Therefore, nothing can be said for sure on whether the 76ers front office will go through this deal or not.

Do you believe that Paul George can handle the leadership role more efficiently next season? Or, should the Philadelphia 76ers become Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant’s responsibility going forward? Let us know in the comments section below.