PHILLY SPECIAL
Eagle-eyed NBA fans notice Joel Embiid’s cheeky hint at Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason plans on live TV
Recent reports suggested that Paul George's future with the Clippers was uncertain
PHILADELPHIA 76ers star Joel Embiid dropped a not-so-subtle hint at his team's offseason plans.
The 7-foot center appeared on NBA Countdown before the Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks matchup in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
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Embiid, 30, joined the ESPN pregame show alongside LA Clippers star Paul George on Friday night.
George, 34, has been linked to the Sixers with the contract negotiations between him and LA dragging on.
And Embiid added fuel to the rumors after Stephen A. Smith asked him about his thoughts on the Celtics potentially claiming their 18th NBA championship in a few hours.
"I can't stand them," Embiid said.
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"I hate Boston. Great city, great fans, obviously they got some great players.
"But it hurts me a lot. Hopefully this offseason, we find a way to get better, add some pieces..."
Just before Embiid said "add some pieces," he gave George a side-eye, and then a wide grin appeared on his face.
Stephen A. and host Malika Andrews seemingly picked up on Embiid's gesture, trying to query the Sixers star on his team's potential roster reinforcements.
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NBA Twitter noticed the 2023 MVP's side-eye, too.
"He gotta know something behind the scenes," one wrote.
'Don't do that', Stephen A. Smith warned by NBA legend Paul George after making Kawhi Leonard dig on live TV
"That side-eye was crazy," another added.
"Well-played Joel… well-played," a third said.
"No way he tampering on live TV," one wrote.
George didn't seem to react in any way to Embiid's glance, though.
NBA Finals schedule
Thur 6 June - Game 1 - Dallas Mavericks 89-107 Boston Celtics
Sun 9 June - Game 2 - Dallas Mavericks 98-105 Boston Celtics
Wed 12 June - Game 3 - Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks
Fri 14 June - Game 4, 8.30pm ET - Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks
Mon 17 June - Game 5, 8.30pm ET - Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
Thur 20 June - Game 6, 8.30pm ET - Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks
Sun 23 June - Game 7, 8pm ET - Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
(Boston leads Dallas 3-0)
The nine-time All-Star hasn't been able to come to an agreement over a contract extension with the Clippers yet.
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, NBA insider Brian Windhorst said that the two sides "have swapped numbers, and they’re not on the same page."
George can decline his $48.8 million player option for 2024-25 and hit free agency this summer.
He has until June 29 to make the decision.
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The Sixers should have over $55 million in available cap space this offseason, meaning they could offer the 6-foot-8 forward a max contract.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks claimed a 122-84 blowout win over the Celtics in Game 4 to extend the series.