Paul George’s Contract Ranked Third‑Worst-Impact on Celtics Plans
Paul George’s four‑year, $110‑million contract was labeled the NBA’s third‑worst on May 8, 2026, a blow to Boston’s salary‑cap outlook after the Celtics swapped Jaylen Brown for the veteran wing.
Bleacher Report analyst Dan Favale placed George’s contract behind only Joel Embiid’s and Trae Young’s deals, citing his age‑related decline and chronic availability issues. Over the past two seasons George missed 86 games, and since the 2018‑19 campaign he has logged a full‑schedule equivalent just once. Those numbers clash with a $56 million player‑option year that looks set to become a near‑guarantee.
In the 2025‑26 campaign George appeared in 37 games for Philadelphia, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals. While productive when on the floor, his output fell short of justifying a contract that ranks among the league’s most burdensome. Favale noted his late‑season surge came after a forced 25‑game sabbatical and didn’t translate into a deeper playoff run, as the Sixers fell to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference second round.
The Celtics acquired George’s contract as part of the Jaylen Brown trade, effectively inheriting a deal that many analysts view as a cap liability. Boston’s front office now faces a dilemma: retain a veteran who can still contribute on both ends, or look for a buy‑out or trade that eases the luxury‑tax pressure. The $56 million player option for the 2026‑27 season looms large, potentially limiting flexibility for free‑agency moves.
At 33, George remains a versatile two‑way player capable of guarding multiple positions and providing scoring bursts. However, his injury history and reduced availability raise doubts about long‑term value. If he stays healthy and re‑establishes a 20‑point rhythm, Boston could extract meaningful production from a contract that otherwise appears misaligned with his age.
The player option deadline approaches in the offseason, and all signs point to George exercising it. Should he opt in, Boston will need to decide whether to integrate him into a rotation built around Jayson Tatum and new acquisitions, or seek a trade partner willing to absorb the hefty salary. The outcome will shape the Celtics’ cap space heading into the 2026‑27 season.