NBA Trade Rumors: Paul George’s 76ers Deal in Limbo as $101 Billion Rich Tycoon’s Moves Hint at Surprising Stay

For the three teams remaining in the postseason, their undivided focus is on the NBA Finals and their hopes of a title conquest. For the rest, it’s time to plan and chart out moves to be on the doorstep of a championship. One such team who are rumored to desperately chase a big move are the Philadelphia 76ers. Daryl Morey has long been wanting a third star to join Joel Embiid and All-Star Tyrese Maxey. According to multiple reports, his gaze is set on Clippers’ wing scorer Paul George.

PG13 joined the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard five seasons ago. The vision was the two-way tandem landing championship. It hasn’t quite gone that way with the Clippers only making it to one conference finals. Now, there is a common belief George will reject his player option for the next season and aim to sign a more expensive max contract. The Clippers aren’t willing to make him the highest-paid player over the Klaw.

This opens up a conversation for another blockbuster trade for the recently turned 34 George. A team that has the cap space and a wild drive to acquire him are the Sixers. When speaking of the swirling rumor, Colin Cowherd believes PG13 could make the 76ers a “handful” and be a key component in their championship aspirations.

However, he couldn’t see the elite wing defender leave the Clippers with the things to come. “I just don’t think he wants it. You know, Ballmer is the richest or the second-richest owner of the sport. He is opening his new arena. He is not letting guys go”, said Cowherd. “If you had to predict one big move, I just think Paul George is going to stay”.

Ballmer is one of the most proactive and emotionally invested owners in the NBA. The $100 billion businessman grew tired of sharing the same home as the Lakers, one the Clippers could never call their home. So in 2021, he took the initiative of building the Intuit Dome characterized in 2021. The construction of the arena is nearly done and will commence to be the Clippers’ arena from the next season.

There’s no doubt that big things are in the works for the LA franchise and Ballmer wants his core players to be a part of the project. Whether George leaves or not remains unknown. He has yet to show signs of wanting to leave or his commitment to stay. Given the contract situation, George will most likely opt into his player option to ensure he gets paid the most he can. At 35 and an unrestricted free agent, PG13 will have his options open, maybe then it could be the Sixers.

Clippers are set to redefine home-court advantage

One has commonly heard the phrase home court advantage in the postseason. It’s the ultimate edge over the rivals. Home fans scream their guts out, distract the opposition, and set an atmosphere to derail the visitors. Home court is probably the single most important determinant when the series is tightly contested.

Well, Balmer and the Clippers are looking to redefine what it means to have home-court support. In building the Intuit Dome, Ballmer is adding his own spin to the mix with the introduction of ‘The Wall’. 51 rows of only Clippers fleet will be placed right behind the basket, the most visible space for the players on the floor.

“It’s 51 rows top to bottom. It’s steeper than anything you see from this vantage point, to try to bring the fans in closer to the game. That’ll be what we call a Clipper-only zone,” said the Clippers owner in an interview. The access to the zone is limited to the most ardent and passionate Clipper fans.

Fans will have to meet various parameters to even be part of ‘The Wall’. Strictly no opposition fans will even be allowed to step into the zone. No equipment or accessories of the rival teams will be allowed either. Steve Ballmer is looking to bring an evolution. If the Clippers can build a competing roster for next season, every home game could become an occasion.

What do you think of the initiative? Let us know your views in the comments below. For exclusive content in the life of Shaquille O’Neal, do check out our interview with his ex-agent Leonard Armato in the video provided below!