While the Fourth of July is still a few days away, there were a lot of fireworks on Day 1 of NBA free agency. Several teams improved with their moves, and several big names inked deals. However, the six-plus hours of opening day of free agency belonged to an Eastern Conference team with the most cap space.
Eastern Conference Team Aces Day 1 Of NBA Free Agency With Huge Signings
The Philadelphia 76ers, who had an NBA-high 58.4 million cap room, won Day I of NBA free agency, and it wasn’t close. The 76ers entered the day with Joel Embiid, Ricky Council IV, and Paul Reed as the only players on standard contract. While Tyrese Maxey has agreed to a five-year, $205 million extension with the 76ers, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported yesterday that the team will wait until they use all their cap space before making the deal official.
Including Maxey, Philadelphia now has eight players in the fold, including nine-time all-star Paul George. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George will receive a four-year, $212 max deal. Wojnarowski added that the final season in 2027-28 will be a player option for the 34-year-old forward.
The 76ers and George and his representatives completed the deal in the wee hours of Monday morning, Woj continued.
“George and his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA, met with a 76ers contingent that included owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and Sixers legend Julius Erving in Los Angeles, sources said. The Sixers even brought a front office executive, Peter Dinwiddie, who is a familiar face and friend of George’s from their years together with the Indiana Pacers, sources said.”
George is coming off his best seasons in years as he finally stayed healthy, playing in 70 games for the first time since 2018-19. George produced 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 74 appearances with the Los Angeles Clippers. He drained 3.3 3-pointers as he shot a career-best 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from the 3-point line.
Now, George, Embiid, and Maxey form one of the most dynamic trios in recent NBA history. The 76ers are now expected to join the New York Knicks in pursuit of the NBA champions Boston Celtics.
Other signings
While George was the big fish for the 76ers, their big Day 1 of NBA free agency included three other key signings. The 76ers also agreed to terms with Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, and Eric Gordon.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre has agreed to a two-year, $16.3 million contract, per Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski said that the 2025-26 season is a player option.
Oubre was one of the top free-agent signings last season. The 28-year-old wing, who made $2.019 million in 2023-24, averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while compiling 44.1/31.1/75% shooting splits. He produced four double-doubles and scored in double-figures in 51 of 68 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 17 times and the 30-point plateau twice.
Andre Drummond
Drummond returns to Philadelphia on a two-year, $10 million deal. The No. 9 pick 2012 pick played for the 76ers during the 2021-22 season. He produced 18 double-doubles and averaged 8.4 points, along with 9.0 games in 79 games for Chicago this past season.
Drummond will provide insurance if Embiid gets injured once again. He is also capable of playing a few minutes alongside Embiid.
Eric Gordon
Gordon signed a one-year minimum deal with the Sixers worth $3.3 million. The 35-year-old gives the 76ers another reliable shooter. He is one of the top 3-point shooters in NBA history and compiled 11.0 points and 2.3 triples last season with Phoenix.
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