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Paul George has been suspended 25 games by the NBA, and his absence could change the Philadelphia 76ers trade plans before the deadline.
The latest news out of the NBA is that Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has been suspended 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, reportedly for taking ‘improper medications.’
While George hasn’t been anything close to his former All-Star caliber self since joining the Sixers on a four-year, $212 million extension with the team last summer, this latest suspension has major implications on Philadelphia going forward.
Statement from 76ers' Paul George to ESPN: “Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication. I take full responsibility for my… https://t.co/0CpqjNToue
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2026
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the 76ers are now over the luxury tax, and could be forced to make multiple moves before the February 5th NBA trade deadline in order to get back below the second apron. They have a few players that could be moved, but with George now set to miss out on more than $11 million due to the suspension, he puts the franchise in a very interesting situation over the next week.
Paul George Suspension Implications On 76ers Trade Rumors
George was already making a ton of money for Philadelphia, but his suspension only puts them in a worse situation regarding his contract going forward. Now over the luxury tax, could very well move Kelly Oubre, Andre Drummond, and even Quentin Grimes sometime in the next week before the trade deadline.
This essentially means the 76ers can dip below the luxury tax if they were to trade Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre, or one of their other secondary guys and not take back significant money. https://t.co/8DPNoRQEC9
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 31, 2026
“This essentially means the 76ers can dip below the luxury tax if they were to trade Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre, or one of their other secondary guys and not take back significant money,” insider Brett Siegel wrote on the salary cap implications.
Second year guard Jared McCain has also been mentioned in recent trade rumors, and while he’s still on a rookie contract, trading him for a minimum player, potentially a forward, could also be a possibility.
Add Philly to the list of teams – Phoenix, Toronto and Denver among them – all close enough to the tax to easily get out between now and Thursday's deadline, though certainly not in a way anyone was expecting. https://t.co/kS1x0Jl21Y
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 31, 2026
However, with these roster moves now a bit more likely, the Sixers could be looking to upgrade at the deadline.
“Philly would’ve had to have done some real work to duck the tax, either dumping Kelly Oubre or doing some gymnastics with Andre Drummond and the minimums,” insider Sam Quinn wrote in a post on X. “Now Philly can duck the tax rather easily, and potentially get a bit more aggressive at the deadline.”
Very significant! Philly would’ve had to have done some real work to duck the tax, either dumping Kelly Oubre or doing some gymnastics with Andre Drummond and the minimums.
Now Philly can duck the tax rather easily, and potentially get a bit more aggressive at the deadline. https://t.co/GikmjQ59GQ
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) January 31, 2026
Per Jake Fischer, Philadelphia will be ‘taking as much time as possible before deciding what levers to pull ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.’
George was putting up averages of 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 42.4% shooting in 27 games this year. While without him for a long stretch, George going out could ramp up the 76ers hopes of adding some talent before the deadline.
Philadelphia hasn’t been mentioned much in NBA trade rumors regarding any big moves, but with the update on George, they could be in a better spot to take a big risk to land the one player everyone wants.
Philadelphia 76ers Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
The 76ers were not one of the top trade suitors named by Shams Charania in contention to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. But while they didn’t make the list, that shouldn’t rule them out completely on making a blockbuster move to add the hottest trade commodity in recent NBA memory.
According to league insiders Marc Stein and Fischer, Antetokounmpo reportedly has interest in teaming up with Tyrese Maxey.
NBACentral
Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly has the 76ers on his radar and likes Tyrese Maxey, per @TheSteinLine & @JakeLFischer
“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half,
“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar,” the two wrote.
Philadelphia doesn’t have any plans of moving V.J. Edgecombe in a deal for Antetokounmpo, and while they would have a few other assets, even him along with everything else they could offer, likely wouldn’t get the job done, considering what the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat are ready to give up for the two-time MVP.
But now that they are more flexible, and with how well Joel Embiid is playing recently, the idea of them moving him, George, McCain, or another mid-level player, and their upcoming draft picks, for Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma can’t be ruled out.
However, now without George, and the subsequent implications on their salary cap, a move is more likely set to be made around the margins to add a rotational player to what has been a surprisingly strong roster for the 76ers this season.