NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Philadelphia 76ers

CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court as Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz applies pressure during game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

2. Paul George, SF/PF

Paul George has given no indication that he’s considering the Sixers as a landing spot, but it’s tough to find a better fit for either side.

George is miscast as the No. 1 option on offense for a championship contender, but he’s an ideal complementary weapon. As Russell Westbrook’s sidekick with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017-18, George set career-high marks in 3-pointers (3.1) and steals (2.0) per game to go with his 21.9 points on 43.0 percent shooting, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 36.6 minutes.

George would give Philly the go-to crunch-time wing scorer it sorely lacked this past season, and he’s adept at creating his own offense as well. With Joel Embiid drawing double-teams down low and Ben Simmons surgically dissecting defenses with his exemplary passing vision, George would help stretch opponents past their breaking point.

While it’s hard not to like the on-paper potential of such a group, George may be leaning toward staying in OKC.

“There is a growing belief around the league that Oklahoma City has a far better chance to retain the free agent-to-be Paul George than many believed when the Thunder crashed out of the first round of the playoffs,” Marc Stein of the New York Times wrote in a recent newsletter. He noted George’s willingness to share a post-surgery picture of himself on Instagram “has helped to fuel the notion in some corners that he’s in no rush to leave OKC.”

If George does take a free-agent meeting with the Sixers, they’ll have one hell of a pitch to present to him. Adding him to the core of this 52-win squad could vault the Sixers into legitimate title contention.

Next: 1. LeBron James