Paul George agrees to four-year, $212 million deal with Sixers

Free-agent forward Paul George, who had a stellar season for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, has agreed to sign a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed.

The 76ers were one of the few high-level playoff-caliber teams with salary cap space to pursue a player like George, who was an All-Star for the ninth time last season.

He averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists and shot 47.1% from the field, 41.3% on 3-pointers and 90.7% on free throws – almost a coveted 50-40-90 shooting season.

George, 34, has spent the past five seasons with the Clippers. He played for Oklahoma City two years before that and played for Indiana for the first seven years of his career.

This addition puts the Sixers in prime position to contend with All-Star Joel Embiid at center, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey at point and George at small forward.

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The Sixers have not reached the conference semifinals since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001. They have lost in the first or second round the past seven seasons.

In a statement, the Clippers said, "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."