“Hopefully this off-season, we find a way to get better and you know add some pieces.” Whether this helped the Sixers or not is very much up for debate, but Joel Embiid‘s live recruiting during the NBA Countdown certainly had the desired effect. Paul George is officially a Sixer! Yes, you heard us right.

Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news just moments before. “BREAKING: Free agent F Paul George has agreed on a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. George committed in a meeting with Sixers officials and returns East to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in pursuit of an NBA title.”

Ahead of the Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Game 4, Philly superstar Embiid had joined PG and the Countdown crew as the Finals analyst. It was no secret that Daryl Morey had been hard at work pursuing the veteran 9x All-Star. And the 76ers’ big man thought he could probably lend a helping hand. Not wasting a moment, “The Process” used the platform to pass on a message. The same one you read in the beginning.

Paul George and the LA Clippers have had a trying back-and-forth in reaching a middle ground. Unfortunately, no such luck there. PG13 wanted what was due to him, his worth – the $212 million contract. However, Steve Ballmer and Co. were trying to keep him back with a minimum deal, as they did to Kawhi Leonard (three-year, $152 million). But George was having none of it.

Leave it to Morey to make use of the golden opportunity. Not only do they have the cap space to offer Paul everything his heart desires, but they might just give him his first-ever ring. Philadelphia has been on the lookout for a third superstar to join their 7-foot center and Tyrese Maxey to get a title.

Hilariously enough, if you thought Joel Embiid was done with his meddling, think again.

Joel Embiid and his cryptic X post have come together with the Paul George bombshell as more details of his contract drops

The Philadelphia 76ers are no strangers to trials and tribulations. Even if they are of their own making. From tampering fines to violations of league injury reporting rules, the Sixers are as tough as nails. And they have got the perfect franchise leader to go with it – the resident Cameroonian 7x All-Star.

At around 2:00 AM, Joel Embiid tweeted a weird message on his X account.

“Still UP”

Of course, no one really had much clue as to what the man meant. But with the news about Paul George having dropped, it was clear the crafty 2023 MVP was waiting exactly for this announcement. While PG might not have been as direct as Embiid (come on, how much more direct could Embiid be? Even if he thinks he was being sneaky), there were subtle hints on his part that he wasn’t against a partnership.

George has often praised Joel in his podcast. And if that’s not convincing, in a recent episode of Podcast with P, the California native dubbed Embiid as “our generation and our version of Shaq.” A clear reference to his admiration of the big man’s dominance on the court. Well, now

Woj, for his part, followed up his initial post with a few more details on the whole deal that got Paul George to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. And it seems like the Philly front office pulled out all the stops as they readied their final pitch. “George and his agent Aaron Mintz of CAA met with Sixers officials including owner Josh Harris, Daryl Morey, Elton Brand and legend Julius Erving in LA. PG agreed on a deal that includes a player option, sources said.”

Well, bringing in ‘Dr. J’ was certainly a stroke of brilliance, wouldn’t you say? Anyway, PG wouldn’t have to worry about being on the opposite side of the Sixers’ giant now. They can terrorize the rest of the league together. And what a nightmare would it be!

 But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe.

Don’t forget to check back in for more such updates from our ES Fancast!