Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 bold predictions

By Rucker Haringey

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)
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) /
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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) /

1. Paul George will sign with the 76ers

Conventional NBA wisdom believes Paul George will either stay in Oklahoma City or engineer a move to the Lakers. Both of those are distinct possibilities, but they’re ignoring the ideal basketball situation for George. If he wants to win a championship, signing with Philadelphia is the perfect move.

The 76ers are blessed with big time talent, but they need a wing who can play top-notch defense and make shots from the perimeter. That’s precisely the skills that George can offer a team. He sometimes falters as a primary creator, but that wouldn’t be asked of him in Philadelphia.

Putting him in a starting five with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid almost seems unfair to the rest of the Eastern Conference. That would give Brett Brown one of the longest defenses in the league. It’s a group that’s certainly capable of knocking off the Boston Celtics to make it to the NBA Finals.

Next: NBA Free Agency: 5 most overrated players

Don’t expect this move to happen in the first few days of free agency. George will want to make a quick decision, but the respective sagas of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are going to force him to wait and see how things unfold. That’s going to give the 76ers front office a chance to actively recruit George. That, combined with a full-on social media assault from Embiid may be enough to convince George to make the perfect basketball decision.

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