The Philadelphia 76ers received some surprising news that Paul George will be suspended for the next 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Sixers currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 26-21 record on the year, and will need to make up for the production that George was responsible for while he is sidelined.
George has suited up for 27 games so far this season, posting averages of 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, as well as 32.3 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring. The nine-time All-Star is showing 38.2% on three-point attempts and attempting 13.1 field goal attempts per game, while helping set the tone defensively. George will be eligible to return at the end of March for the final 10 games of the regular season.
Paul George’s Suspension Impact on the Sixers
Given their place in the standings, the Sixers cannot afford to just wait out George’s time away. There are also some financial implications of the suspension that change the outlook for Philadelphia at the trade deadline. The suspension will cost George $11,742,293 of his salary, and the Sixers will receive a tax variance credit of $5,871,147 from a salary cap perspective. With just a few days until the trade deadline, this flexibility could alter the approach from Daryl Morey.
But there are players on this Sixers team capable of stepping up without making any moves.
Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5,200) has quietly had one of the best seasons of his career and has become an integral part of this Sixers team. The 30-year-old is averaging 14.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, while shooting 36.5% on three-point attempts. Oubre Jr. is averaging 25.4 fantasy points per game based on DraftKings scoring. He has been in and out of the Sixers’ starting lineup and battled some injuries himself, but will have a clear path to remaining in the starting lineup while George is sidelined. He will see his level of shot volume expand along with this.
It has been a tale of two seasons for Quentin Grimes ($4,700). Across the first 21 games he played this year, Grimes was averaging 17.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, while shooting 45.6% from the field and 38.1% on three-point attempts. Since this point, he is averaging 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while shooting 39.8% from the floor and 29.9% on three-point attempts. Grimes will see his level of offensive opportunity grow with George out, and the Sixers could use him getting back to the best version of himself as a basketball player once again. He is averaging 26.6 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring on the season, and expect an increase in this output.
V.J. Edgecombe ($6,600) continues to play a major role on this Sixers team, but what he is asked to do will shift some with George sidelined. Edgecombe is averaging 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, or 32.3 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring. Expect the rookie to be tasked with guarding more top offensive players, which is a role that George has taken for chunks of this year.
A deeper cut with a chance to change his season outlook in a major way is Justin Edwards ($3,200). The Kentucky product was an undrafted free agent last year and scooped up by the Sixers on a two-way deal. He played in 44 games as a rookie, including starting 26 of these, and posted averages of 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. This earned him a full standard multi-year NBA deal heading into this season.
On the larger scale of the season, Edwards has largely been a non-factor for this Sixers team. He has played in 36 games this season and played just 14.5 minutes per game. The 22-year-old is averaging 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, as well as 10.4 fantasy points per game on DraftKings scoring. Edwards has shown some signs of life in recent games and likely will be called on at a greater rate by head coach Nick Nurse moving forward. Keep him in mind as a value play.
Players like Trendon Watford ($3,000), Dominick Barlow ($3,600), and Jabari Walker ($3,000) will also see their roles shift without George.
Anyway you cut it, this is not ideal from the Sixers perspective. It has been difficult for this team to build continuity given the level of injuries and roster turnover in recent years. George’s suspension will be another hurdle thrown the team’s way in this conversation.
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