Despite a deluge of social media-fueled waiver rumors and an injury-plagued, disappointing inaugural season, Paul George remains a Philadelphia 76er. The All-Star forward, who signed a massive four-year, $212 million contract last summer, is firmly entrenched in the team’s plans as they look to rebound from a disastrous 2024-25 campaign.
The Source of the Waiver Hoax and George’s Contract Status
Recent speculation regarding Paul George’s potential waiver from the 76ers stemmed from a viral social media post by a parody account. However, these claims were entirely false. George is in the second year of his substantial four-year, $212 million deal, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The significant financial commitment and the structure of his contract make a waiver highly improbable. He is expected to earn $51.7 million in 2025-26, $54.1 million in 2026-27, and $56.6 million in 2027-28 if he exercises his player option.
A Season Marred by Injuries and Underperformance
The 2024-25 season was nothing short of a nightmare for both Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers. George, who was brought in to form a formidable “Big Three” with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, was limited to just 41 games due to a string of injuries. He battled a hyperextended left knee in the preseason, a recurring left knee bone bruise, and issues with his left adductor muscle and a left finger sprain, ultimately being shut down in March for the remainder of the season.
His individual performance reflected his injury struggles, with his scoring average dipping to 16.2 points per game – his lowest since his comeback season in 2014-15. His shooting percentages also saw a noticeable decline, hitting 43.0% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc. The lack of consistent health and rhythm prevented him from showcasing the impact expected from a player of his caliber.
The 76ers’ Disastrous 2024-25 Campaign
George’s injury woes were a microcosm of the 76ers’ entire season. The team finished with a dismal 24-58 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Crucially, the highly anticipated trio of George, Embiid, and Maxey played together in only 15 regular-season games, going 7-8 in those contests. Joel Embiid was also sidelined for a significant portion of the season, playing just 19 games due to knee issues, while Tyrese Maxey also suffered a season-ending finger injury in April.
The constant churn of players, with the team utilizing an NBA-record 53 starting lineups, severely hampered any chance of building chemistry or consistency. The season became a strategic “tank” to improve their draft positioning, ultimately landing them the third pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which they used to select VJ Edgecombe out of Baylor.
Looking Ahead: Hope for a Healthy Return
Despite the challenging first year, the Philadelphia 76ers remain committed to Paul George. He recently underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on July 14, 2025, to address an injury sustained during an offseason workout. The procedure is reported to be a “cleanup,” and George has immediately begun rehabilitation. He is scheduled for re-evaluation before training camp in early September, with the organization hoping for his full clearance to participate in drills and preseason games to re-establish on-court chemistry with Embiid and Maxey.
