Paul George: Suspension, Trades, Contract & Career Stats

Few NBA careers have taken as many unexpected turns as Paul George’s. From a breakout rookie in Indiana to a nine-time All-Star navigating trades, injuries, and a recent suspension — his path keeps shifting. This article connects the dots between his 2025 suspension, his move to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the contract and injury history that define where he stands today.

Height: 6’8″ ·
Weight: 220 lbs ·
Age: 36 (born May 2, 1990) ·
Draft: 10th overall, 2010 ·
Current Team: Philadelphia 76ers ·
All-Star Appearances: 9

Eight key measurements, one snapshot of a 6’8″ two-way wing who has played 15 NBA seasons across four franchises.

What did Paul George test positive for?

Substance detected

• George tested positive for an improper medication while seeking treatment for a personal issue, according to ESPN’s report.
• The NBA has not publicly named the specific substance. George referred to it as “an improper medication” in his statement to the league (ESPN).

Suspension length and timeline

• The league handed down a 25-game suspension without pay under the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program (RealGM).
• It began with Philadelphia’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans on a Saturday in March 2025 (ESPN).
• ESPN projects his return for March 25 at home against the Chicago Bulls, leaving 10 regular-season games.

Impact on his season

• The suspension costs George roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary — about $469,691.72 per game missed (ESPN).
• ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted the 76ers save more than $5 million in luxury tax payments as a result.

The implication: George’s 25-game absence reshapes Philadelphia’s postseason path, and the financial penalty underscores how the league’s drug policy hits both players and teams.

Why did the Clippers get rid of Paul George?

Contract negotiations

• The Los Angeles Clippers and Paul George could not agree on a new contract in the 2024 offseason (ESPN).
• George had been with the Clippers since 2019 after being traded from Oklahoma City.

Steve Ballmer’s explanation

• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer cited the need for “flexibility and to reset our luxury tax position” when explaining the decision not to re-sign George (as reported by ESPN).

Team performance considerations

• George’s recurring injuries — including shoulder surgeries and knee sprains — limited his availability with the Clippers (Basketball-Reference).
• The Clippers moved him in a sign-and-trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2024.

The pattern: the Clippers chose long-term cap flexibility over a max contract for an aging, injury-prone star — a bet that looks shrewd if George’s suspension further limits his availability.

What did OKC get for trading Paul George?

Trade package overview

• In July 2019, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Paul George to the LA Clippers in a blockbuster deal.
• OKC received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a haul of multiple first-round picks (Wikipedia).
• The trade came shortly after Kawhi Leonard agreed to join the Clippers, who needed a second star.

Key players and picks received

• Gilgeous-Alexander has since developed into an All-NBA guard and franchise cornerstone for the Thunder (NBA.com).
• The Clippers’ picks, including unprotected swaps, gave OKC a massive future asset pool.

Long-term effect on Thunder roster

• The trade accelerated Oklahoma City’s rebuild, turning a veteran team into a young core with draft capital.
• By 2025, the Thunder emerged as a top contender in the Western Conference, largely built from that trade (Basketball-Reference).

What this means: the George-for-Gilgeous-Alexander swap is now seen as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history — but only in hindsight.

What is Paul George’s contract?

Current contract details

• Paul George signed a four-year, $212 million max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2024 (ESPN).
• The deal includes a player option for the final year, and annual salaries starting at $51.7 million.

Career earnings

• Over his 15-year career, George has earned more than $350 million in salary alone (Spotrac).
• He earned max contracts with the Pacers, Thunder, Clippers, and now the 76ers.

Salary cap implications

• The 76ers’ cap sheet is heavily tied to George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, leaving limited flexibility.
• The suspension saves Philadelphia roughly $5.3 million in luxury tax penalties (ESPN).

Why this matters: George’s $212 million max was a bet on his health — a bet already looking shaky after the suspension.

What injuries has Paul George had?

2014 leg fracture

• During a Team USA scrimmage in August 2014, George suffered a compound fracture of his right leg (ESPN).
• The injury occurred when his leg struck the basket stanchion, causing the bone to break through the skin.
• He missed the entire 2014-15 season and returned as a different player — more perimeter-based, less explosive.

Shoulder surgeries

• George underwent surgery on his right shoulder in 2019 and later on his left shoulder (NBA.com).
• The injuries caused him to miss the end of the 2018-19 season with the Thunder and slowed his Clippers debut.

Knee sprains and missed games

• In the 2023-24 season, George missed 26 games due to a hyperextended right knee (Basketball-Reference).
• He has missed at least 15 games in six of the last eight seasons.

The trade-off: George’s ability to produce All-Star numbers when healthy is undeniable, but his availability has become the real metric of his value.

Six categories, one pattern: Paul George’s career has been defined by elite production interrupted by off-court setbacks and physical breakdowns.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, the choice is clear: they must weather a 25-game suspension of their $212 million star, or risk another lost season. If George returns healthy and focused, the gamble on his max contract could still pay off. If not, the franchise faces a rebuild earlier than planned.

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