A top NBA reporter took a blowtorch to the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster construction after news came down that Paul George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
The organization revealed Monday that George had the procedure after getting injured in a recent offseason workout. He will be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp in September.
George missed 41 games in his first season in Philadelphia after signing a max four-year, $211.5 million contract due to numerous injuries, including to his left knee and adductor. He was eventually shut down in March after averaging only 16.2 points per game — his lowest total since his second season in the league.
George’s latest injury comes as the team’s other max player — Joel Embiid — has yet to start basketball activities after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee as well. Embiid only played in 19 games last season. In fact, the Big 3 of Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey took the court just 15 times during the 2024-25 season and missed a combined 134 games due to injuries.
Embiid was even given a three-year, $193 million extension last September and is owed a whopping $242 million through the 2028-29 season. Combined with George’s contract, Philadelphia owes over $400 million to the two oft-injured stars.
Because of that, ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon roasted what the organization has done with their roster construction.
“The Philadelphia 76ers are built on a flimsy foundation,” MacMahon said on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “They are built on a foundation of two max players who might be the two worst valued contracts in the NBA.”
“They are built on a foundation of two max players who might be the two worst valued contracts in the NBA.” 😳
– @espn_macmahon on the Sixers
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )
pic.twitter.com/t4Yey6QWvx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 15, 2025
If Embiid and George can’t stay healthy this upcoming season and Philadelphia falls short of the playoffs again, there’s a very good chance president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will be looking for a new job. He was the one who decided to give the albatross contracts to the two players who can’t stay on the floor.
Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant ... More about Matt Higgins