With the first and second options occupied by Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid on the Philadelphia 76ers, Carmelo Anthony labeled Paul George as the best third option in the NBA. This is evidently the epitome of blasphemy, as George may once have been a superstar and an elite second option who led the LA Clippers to their first-ever Western Conference Finals, but in 2025-26, he has regressed with age.
Melo thinks the 76ers could be a force come playoff time. 👀 pic.twitter.com/CNDK7yOAhv
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) December 31, 2025
Furthermore, George is clearly highly regarded by Anthony. As former competitors and teammates fighting for the same goal on the Oklahoma City Thunder, their history runs deep. Additionally, Anthony’s son and Syracuse freshman, Kiyan, is a heavy supporter of the two-way phenom.
Though George is great with a skillset that will keep him employed at the highest, most lucrative level of professional basketball, there are a handful of names that come to mind before George’s as a third option. He is certainly in the top ten, yet well behind the first spot.
Carmelo Anthony over-showered Paul George with flowers that are undeserved
For the Philadelphia 76ers this season, Paul George is averaging 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, shooting 40.6% from the floor and 38.8% from beyond the arc. These numbers have led Philadelphia to an 18-14 record, currently seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Moreover, there are more dominant and higher valued third options in each conference; in the East, a name that rings a bell is Mikal Bridges, behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns on the second-seeded New York Knicks, and in the West, one of the top names is Chet Holmgren on the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Bridges is currently averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, and similarly, Holmgren is averaging 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, each resembling stronger campaigns than George's this season.
Yet, box score comparisons only say so much. What their statistics omit is the level of defense Bridges and Holmgren play at, and how great a difference that is from George’s. They are both all-defensive caliber; meanwhile, the former LA Clipper struggles to hold his ground against quickness, explosiveness, and those with a lightning-fast first step.
Hence, head coach Nick Nurse assigns the toughest offensive challenges to Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecomb, or Quentin Grimes.
That said, Carmelo Anthony’s praise of George must be considered with a grain of salt. He is still contributing like a star, but to say he has the crown of his tier cannot be backed up with stats and wins.