Why Paul George Becomes Easier for Celtics to Trade This Week

Why Paul George Becomes Easier for Celtics to Trade This Week originally appeared on NESN.
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If the Boston Celtics are interested in trading Paul George, it becomes easier to do so at the end of this week.

The Celtics acquired the nine-time All-Star from the Philadelphia 76ers in July. They could’ve flipped George immediately if they wanted, but they couldn’t aggregate his salary with another player’s contract.

In a few days, a restriction preventing the Celtics from aggregating George’s salary with other contracts expires.

That doesn’t mean the Celtics will trade George anytime soon, of course. It simply gives the front office more options to make deals between now and the trade deadline if they think they can use George’s contract to improve the roster.

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Why couldn’t Paul George’s salary be aggregated?

Because the NBA’s CBA temporarily doesn’t allow it.

In the simplest terms, a player acquired in a trade cannot be aggregated with another contract for two months.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the blockbuster trade between the Celtics and 76ers on July 1, but it didn’t become official until July 6. 

That’s why the Celtics have to wait until Sept. 6 for the restriction to be lifted.

Starting Sept. 6, the Celtics can aggregate George’s salary with other contracts in a trade.

MORE:Paul George Makes Encouraging Comments Ahead of First Season with Celtics

Will the Celtics trade Paul George?

There is no credible reporting that the Celtics are interested in trading George.

For what it’s worth, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has spoken highly of what George brings to the roster.

“Paul’s a really good player,” Stevens said. “He’s been a really good player for a long time. He’s one of the more impactful players with regard to winning, even as he’s aged in the NBA. We just think he’s a good fit for how we play, and I think the other part about Paul is he’s very smart. He has a good feel for the game; he’s got a good savvy to him about the game, and I think that fits in with the rest of our lineup.”

However, George, 36, is on a different timeline than Jayson Tatum, 28, and comes with a massive salary. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Celtics at least explored the trade market for him at some point over the next couple of years.

MORE:Paul George Named One of NBA’s Most Overpaid Players

Paul George’s salary

George signed a four-year, $211.6 million contract with the 76ers in 2024.

George will make $54.1 million in 2026-27, making him the second-highest-paid player on the roster behind only Tatum ($58.5 million). He then has a $56.6 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

If George picks up his player option, he will enter unrestricted free agency in 2028 at age 38.

Paul George contractSeasonSalary2026-27$54,126,3802027-28$56,586,6702028-29Unrestricted free agent

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