The NBA first developed its anti-drug policy in 1983. Reportedly, only eight players have been caught and suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs in NBA history. All eight suspensions occurred post the year 2000. The last one was Hedo Türkoğlu in 2013.
This brings us to Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George, who was suspended for 25 games without pay on Jan. 31. The NBA has not disclosed the nature of the violation or the substance involved. George’s statement to the media gives rise to more questions than answers.
So what does this mean for George? And how does it change things for the 76ers?
Paul George’s Suspension Changes Everything for the 76ers
Mental Health And Commentary
George had this to say in a statement to ESPN regarding his suspension.
“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication.”
George also apologized to Sixers fans, saying that he takes “full responsibility for [his] actions.”
Mental health was not a prominent conversation in the NBA before 2019, which was the year the league started requiring teams to have mental health professionals on staff. Based on George’s statement, it appears that the medication he was taking was to aid him in treating his mental health.
The NBA has three main types of banned substances: drugs of abuse, performance enhancers, and masking agents. In the NBA’s release about George’s suspension, they have not specified which category the drugs that George took fall into. For any prohibited drug that a player may use for their mental health, the player in question needs to have a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption), which allows them to take the drug. However, it appears that George was taking this drug without professional approval. This will likely result in him serving the entire suspension, unless he decides to appeal.
Notable names have given their two cents on George’s situation. On a livestream with the content creator, N3on, Dillon Brooks said this about George’s 25-game suspension.
“That’s PEs, though. It was looking like it, though. Deada–, he don’t move good. Then all of a sudden, he fu—n cashin’ out 3’s, looking like himself like years ago. I guarantee he’ll be on his podcast explaining his story, saying what happened.”
Aside from Brooks’ inflammatory comments, former 76ers player Charles Barkley had this to say on the NBA’s decision to suspend George.
“It’s something fishy going on here. I don’t joke around about mental health. If you’re taking something for mental health, that’s got to be an outlier to the NBA. If you’re taking something for mental health, even if it’s on a list, you should get a hall pass.”
The Sixers Dilemma
Paul George suited up for just 41 games last year for the 76ers, despite being paid max-contract money. This was partially due to a slew of unfortunate injuries, which significantly lessened the amount of time that George could spend on the court. However, he has played 27 games this season and was fairly impactful, averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Being the 76ers’s third best scorer, his loss will be felt by the rest of the 76ers’ core. 76ers center Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey will have to make up for the points that George usually would have scored. George is also a very switchable defender, who can guard multiple positions due to his height and mobility. This was an area where George had a significant impact, and it will prove difficult for Philadelphia to find a replacement.
In addition to their roster challenges, the Sixers will have other issues up ahead. The Sixers are just 3.5 games above the 10th seed. This, and the fact that they will have a tough, five-game road trip out West right before the All-Star break, could lead to the sixth-seed Sixers dipping out of playoff contention.
The Process To A Solution?
Philadelphia stands to lose a lot from Paul George’s absence. However, the nine-time All-Star’s suspension can also be a blessing in disguise.
The Sixers were $7.13 million above the luxury tax before George’s suspension. The only possible solution to get under the tax would be to trade players on smaller contracts.
The NBA’s CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) states that the salary a suspended player loses only counts half against the luxury tax bill. George’s suspension will result in the six-time All-NBA player losing out on $11.74 million. Half this amount comes out to $5.87 million, slashed from the 76ers’ luxury tax.
This leaves Philly just $1.26 million above the tax. Paired with a recent trade, such as sending guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sixers have managed to do the impossible. Not only have they dropped $3 million below the luxury tax, but they also came away with four draft picks, including one first-round pick.
The Sixers have a difficult path ahead to stay ahead of other teams in a wide-open, yet competitive Eastern Conference. Philly will need some good play from their bench, and their stars need to be available. However, the Sixers have a good chance of snagging a playoff spot as a dark horse heading into the postseason.
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