The NBA released a surprising statement on Saturday that Paul George will be suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. The Philadelphia standout’s suspension will take place immediately and cost him $11,742,294 of his guaranteed salary, which will change the Sixers’ calculations for how they will address the trade deadline.
George is taking full responsibility for the suspension and released a statement of his own through ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This puts a halt to what has been a resurgent season for George and the Sixers. The nine-time All-Star has suited up for 27 games for the Sixers so far this season, posting averages of 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 38.2% from beyond the three-point arc.
The Sixers have largely exceeded expectations this year and sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 26-21 on the year. Philadelphia holds the 11th-best odds of winning the NBA Championship at +4000 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, and the fifth-best odds of winning the Eastern Conference at +1100.
The Sixers will face off with the New Orleans Pelicans tonight, and they now will be doing so without George. The Sixers are 9.5-point favorites in the matchup and hold -310 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook of winning outright. The Pelicans hold +250 odds of winning outright, with the game total set at 231.5 points.
Stay tuned to DK Network for live updates surrounding Paul George and other key players moving forward.
