Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has been suspended without pay for 25 games for breaking the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program rules, according to the league. His suspension starts with Saturday’s game against the Pelicans.
George will not be able to play until Philadelphia’s last 10 games. He can return on March 25 against Chicago. This suspension significantly affects the Sixers as they aim to secure a top-six finish in the East to avoid the play-in tournament. They currently hold a 26-21 record, which ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference. In 27 games this season, George has averaged 16 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Paul George’s Statement on His Suspension
In a statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania, George said he took an “improper medication” to address his mental health issues.
“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,” the statement said. “I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates, and the Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process. I am focused on using this time to ensure that my mind and body are in the best condition to help the team when I return.”
The suspension will result in a financial loss of $11,742,293 for George, as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The Sixers will gain a tax variance credit of $5,871,147. After George’s fifth game, he will be moved to the suspended list, allowing the Sixers to sign an additional player for the remainder of his suspension.
Additionally, this suspension places Philadelphia just $1.26 million over the luxury tax, Marks points out. This might encourage the Sixers to make salary moves to avoid exceeding the tax limits.
According to cap expert Yossi Gozlan, the Sixers were likely considering trading players like Kelly Oubre Jr. or Quentin Grimes to convert productive two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker to standard contracts while staying under the luxury tax. Now, achieving these objectives could be easier.
The Sixers signed George to a maximum four-year contract in 2024, but it hasn’t gone smoothly. He faced injuries throughout most of last season, and the team has been managing his ongoing knee issues with load management this season.