NBA Insider: Paul George Could Be Shut Down by 76ers with Joel Embiid Out

Amid a massively disappointing 2024-25 season, the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly may soon shut down star forward Paul George.

According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, George "could be following close behind" superstar center Joel Embiid, who was shut down for the remainder of the season last week due to ongoing knee issues.

The Sixers signed George to a four-year, $211.58 million contract during the offseason, but he has been plagued by myriad injuries, causing him to miss 20 of the team's 60 games this season.

George, 34, began the season on the shelf with a knee ailment, and he has most recently been dealing with a groin injury that caused him to miss Monday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The addition of George alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey was supposed to make the Sixers one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, but with George and Embiid missing so much time, Philly has performed well below expectations.

At 21-39, the 76ers are 12th in the Eastern Conference, and they are very much in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.

Even when on the court, George has not been his usual self this season, as evidenced by averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.4 three-pointers made and 1.8 steals per game.

The nine-time All-Star boasts career averages of 20.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.6 three-pointers made and 1.7 steals per contest, plus he shoots 44.0 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from beyond the arc, but he is shooting just 43.3 percent from the floor and 36.3 percent from deep this season.

Despite George being asked to play a featured role at times due to Embiid's injuries, his scoring average this season is the lowest he has had in a season since his rookie year with the exception of 2014-15 when he was limited to six games due to injury.

At this point, the Sixers are more incentivized to lose down the stretch than they are to win since their first-round pick is top-six protected.

If Philadelphia does not pick in the top six, the selection will convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is something the Sixers would like to avoid.

Additionally, with George signed for at least two more seasons, there is little reason to risk a late-season injury that could impact his availability next season.

The Sixers have a chance to bounce back and be a threat next season if George, Embiid and Maxey all stay healthy, which is why there is plenty of logic behind the idea of shutting George down the rest of the way.