Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is one of the top players in the league when he is right and healthy. In his first season with the Sixers, George was limited to only 41 games due to a variety of injuries and averaged only 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
However, George is only a year removed from an All-Star season in 2024 with averages of 22.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in his final season with the Los Angeles Clippers. When George is healthy, even with his age of 35 now, he can still be an impactful player in this league in an effort to help a team win big in the playoffs.
HoopsHype ranked the top 26 small forwards in the NBA right now:
So, although this ranking seems low for a player who will very likely be a Hall-of-Famer one day, factoring in George’s injury troubles over the last year, along with the fact he’s already 35 years old with a lot of miles on him, it’s just hard to project an All-Star season being ahead for the former Fresno State star.
Perhaps he’ll prove us wrong, as George was an All-Star merely two seasons ago. Plus, when healthy, he’s a top-notch tough-shot-maker and defender, as well as a productive rebounder and playmaker. But the fact that George will head into 2025-26 after having knee surgery this summer is just outright worrisome.
The Sixers will be looking for George to bounce back and give Philadelphia the perimeter scoring it is looking for from the wing alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. If those three are ready to go, then the Sixers will be involved in any conversation for the Eastern Conference crown.