The Philadelphia 76ers have opened the season with a 10–9 record, competitive but not yet resembling true contenders in the Eastern Conference. The team has rarely been at full strength, leaving questions about what their ceiling might be if they can finally get healthy.
One player expected to help carry the scoring load, Paul George, has only appeared in five games so far, and doubts remain about whether he will ultimately justify the four-year, $211.6 million deal he signed in July 2024.
The 35-year-old veteran is still ramping up his workload, averaging 23 minutes per game, but his production has been modest. George has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 41.4% from the field and 31.0% from three-point range.
For a player of his pedigree, those numbers fall short of expectations, and the 76ers will need him to find his groove if they hope to elevate themselves into the upper tier of the conference.