CAMDEN, N.J. — As he prepares for his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Paul George will have a lot of eyes on him. He is working on getting back to playing at a high level following a tough 2024-25 season that saw him limited by a variety of injuries as he played only 41 games.

As he enters the 2025-26 season, George will have a couple of different roles to handle. The Sixers, obviously, expect him to get close to being a star player again as they will need him to do so in order to contend in the East, but with so many youngsters on the roster, he will be playing a mentor role as well.

“I think just continue to be a leader,” George stated. “I think this year is a better role for me coming into this. I know the situation, I know where I’m needed, I’m comfortable within the locker room, with the coaching staff, with the front office. And I know what role I can play as a veteran and a leader, developing our young guys and getting them as prepared as possible.”

George has been in the gym working with the youngsters like VJ Edgecombe, Jared McCain, Johni Broome, and others. If he can continue to be that positive voice–as he always has been–then the Sixers are going to be in a good spot when it comes to their younger players.

“Again, I’ve been in here for three weeks,” George added. “VJ’s been in here every day, Jared’s been in here every day, JB’s been in here every day. So I’ve been around those guys and I’ve seen their work, I’ve seen them getting better on a daily basis and I’m just giving teaching points here and there. Justin (Edwards) as well.”

George has a high basketball IQ which helps coach Nick Nurse when it comes to making sure everybody is on the same page. A big part of the equation now for the veteran out of Fresno State is being a mentor on the floor and being something of an extension of Nurse to help the youngsters.

“I had a great convo with Nick,” George continued. “Just teaching the tricks of the trade that I’ve been taught through experiences and games, what I’ve picked up. He’s counting on me. He’s relying on me to help the young guys, whether it’s working on how to get open, defensive concepts, being in the right places. He’s counting on me to be another voice to help the young guys. That means a lot for me, for Coach to have that trust in me to help the young guys out.”

After signing a 4-year $212 million deal with the Sixers in the 2024 offseason, George battled a ton of injuries and signs of slowing down as his numbers were down across the board. The 9-time All-Star averaged 16.2 points and shot 43% from the field and 35.8% from deep as his attempts at the rim were down compared to his previous years.

One has to wonder how much he has left in the tank, but George is adamant that he can still produce and be the star player he has been throughout his 15 years in the league.

“I think it’s everything,” he finished. “Again, getting healthy, I’m the Paul George that the Sixers went out and signed. I do think I’ve still got a lot of game in me. Playing at a high level, that’s still who I am. I’ve got to get to that point. I don’t think I’ll be a part of camp going into it, but I do have a voice and a part in the team to help the young guys. I plan on being both.”

If George is able to handle his role of being a mentor for this group along with getting back to the high level of play he was once at, then the Sixers will be in great shape. George believes he can still produce at that level, but that remains to be seen when the season begins on Oct. 22.