The Philadelphia 76ers made a big splash in the free agency market by signing former L.A. Clippers star Paul George to a lucrative four-year, $212 million deal. This move has been hailed as one of the most significant free agent signings in the 75-year history of the franchise. With George joining forces with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, the Sixers now boast a formidable Big 3 that has the potential to make waves in the Eastern Conference.
In recent years, the trend in the NBA has shifted towards building teams with more depth and versatility, rather than relying solely on a Big 3. The success of teams like the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, who have embraced the concept of a Big 5, has shown that having a larger pool of star-caliber players can be a winning formula in today’s league.
The Celtics, in particular, have built a roster with six star-caliber players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Derrick White. This depth allowed them to overcome injuries to key players and dominate in the playoffs on their way to winning the championship.
The Celtics’ success serves as a blueprint for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have also focused on bolstering their supporting cast around their young star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. This approach may give them a better chance at competing for a title in the coming years.
While the addition of Paul George to the Sixers’ lineup gives them a potent Big 3, questions remain about their ability to stay healthy and make a deep playoff run. George’s injury history, combined with Joel Embiid’s past struggles to stay on the court during the postseason, raises concerns about the team’s durability.
The Sixers’ top-heavy roster mirrors that of other teams with Big 3s that have faced challenges due to injuries and lack of depth. It will be crucial for the team to address these issues and potentially add more star talent to their lineup to ensure they have a well-rounded and resilient team capable of competing for a championship.
Overall, the NBA landscape is evolving, and teams are realizing that having a Big 3 may not be enough to secure a title. The success of teams like the Celtics and Nuggets, who have embraced the concept of a Big 5, highlights the importance of depth and versatility in today’s league. As the Sixers embark on this new chapter with Paul George, they will need to navigate the challenges of building a well-rounded team that can contend with the best in the league.