Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves are among the top young talents in the NBA. Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George was asked to pick a player outside these three stars to build a franchise around, and he surprised everyone with his choice.
In the latest episode of Paul George’s “Podcast P” show, he was asked to pick a player aged 25 or under, excluding Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama, to build a team. After naming some young talents like Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, George picked Banchero.
The 34-year-old said, “There’s a lot of talent still out there. Ja is still under 25. Paolo Banchero is still under 25, LaMelo. If you want to go big and down that route, Chet Holmgren is under 25. There’s a lot of talent that’s under 25. But I think who’s shown that they’re ready for that next jump and I think was a star? For sure, Paolo (Banchero).”
Paul George Praised “Grown Man” Paolo Banchero
The 2013 Most Improved Player picked Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero as the young NBA talent to build a franchise around. In his second NBA season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, leading the Magic to their first playoffs since 2020.
George added, “He was a grown man. You gotta put shooters around him because of his game – he’s such a force. He’s great in transition, he’s great in isolations, and he’s great at sizing dudes up and using his strength to blow by.”
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“What takes away from that are people who crowd his driving lanes, he’s a driver. He’s gotten better at being a shooter, but I think naturally he’s a driver, he likes the contact and he plays physical. You gotta put people around him that are going to space.”
George played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2019 to 2024 and reached the Western Conference Finals once. In pursuit of winning an NBA championship, nine-time All-Star Paul George joined the 2023 MVP, Joel Embiid, at the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2024.
