Sixers Notes: Embiid, George, McCain, Depth TERMAN WEBSITE

A couple of weeks after working collectively on ESPN’s protection of the NBA Finals, Joel Embiid and Paul George are Sixers teammates, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Embiid dropped a not-so-subtle trace throughout that broadcast, saying that Philadelphia wanted to improve its roster and glancing at George, who was concerned in extension negotiations with the Clippers on the time that finally collapsed and resulted in his free company.

Talking to reporters Saturday after Crew USA’s first observe to organize for the Summer time Olympics, Embiid talked about what a distinction it is going to make to have one other All-Star becoming a member of him and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.

“My focus is on serving to [my teammates] as a lot as doable,” Embiid mentioned. “Making the sport simple for them, so I don’t must do lots, like previously years. It was thrilling [getting George]. Clearly, that’s an important job that [the front office] did. However we’ve nonetheless bought to go on the court docket and attempt to win.”

Embiid has been one of many league’s most dominant gamers over the past two years, profitable MVP honors in 2023 and probably heading for a repeat earlier than being sidelined with a torn meniscus in January. Nonetheless, he has additionally incessantly damaged down within the playoffs and will profit from not having to hold the group as a lot in the course of the common season.

The addition of George, together with Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond, has the Sixers wanting like official title contenders, however Embiid cautioned that every little thing may not click on instantly.

“Clearly, everyone at all times has the mindset [of] profitable a championship, and that’s the objective,” he mentioned. “However you’ve additionally bought to grasp it’s going to take some time for everyone to be on the identical web page. Hopefully it doesn’t take us some time and we simply [have it] from the start, however that’s form of uncommon.”

There’s extra on the Sixers:

• First-round choose Jared McCain plans to make use of Maxey as a mentor as he adjusts to the NBA recreation, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey notes that each gamers fell out of the lottery though they have been coming off productive seasons at conventional faculty powers. “Whether or not it’s the work ethic, how is transition was from faculty to the NBA, I’m going to attempt to be taught every little thing I can from (Maxey),” McCain mentioned. “He’s an All-Star now. The whole lot I can, I’m going to attempt to determine it out and be taught from him.”
• Whereas the Sixers have been very lively in including gamers in free company, in addition they misplaced a number of veterans and presently solely have 9 gamers on customary contracts, together with Ricky Council‘s non-guaranteed wage for 2024/25. David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer takes a take a look at how the group may fill out the remainder of its roster.
• In case you missed it, the Sixers have formally signed former Warmth wing Caleb Martin to a four-year contract. Additionally they waived huge man Paul Reed, who was on a non-guaranteed deal, to create cap room for Martin’s addition.

Rory Maher contributed to this put up.