NBA Rumors: 76ers Want Paul George, Caldwell-Pope Contracts Despite Salary Cap Issues

The Philadelphia 76ers "have explored the feasibility of" acquiring both Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George and Denver Nuggets defensive stalwart Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday.

Keith Pompey previously reported for the Philadelphia Inquirer that the Sixers are considered the "frontrunner" to land George.

"If he comes to Philly, sources believe George will help recruit solid role players for the Sixers' pursuit of an NBA championship-caliber roster," Pompey wrote.

The 76ers are more than $103 million over the cap, per Spotrac. Only the LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves have less cap space heading into free agency.

But Philadelphia can clear more than $65 million by moving on from their pending free agents (h/t CBS Philadelphia's Tom Ignudo) and Spotrac puts the Sixers' practical cap space at over $58 million, the highest total in the NBA.

That could give them the flexibility to make bids for George and Caldwell-Pope, who are each set to hit free agency after turning down player options to return to their perspective teams.

George declined a $48.7 million option to stay with the Clippers, while Caldwell-Pope turned down his $15.4 million option to remain with the Nuggets.

Negotiations between the Clippers and George broke down after the team would not offer him a deal longer than three years, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. He will now hit the market in search of a four-year deal.

The 76ers are willing to offer George that four-year contract, Jake Fischer reported Sunday for Yahoo Sports.

Stein previously reported Caldwell-Pope that sources say there is "mutual interest" between Caldwell-Pope and the Mavericks, but that "the Nuggets do not want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival... even if that means losing Caldwell-Pope without compensation."

The Boston Celtics' run to the title this season means that three-and-D wings are more in demand than ever, and Fox Sports' Yaron Weitzman predicted the Sixers would be willing to pay a deal worth around three years and $70 million to add Caldwell-Pope to the roster.

The Sixers have not made it past the second round since Embiid's debut in 2016. Philadelphia will now hope a pair of big free agency additions will allow this team to make it over the hump.