Paul George’s clearest path to helping Jayson Tatum is to make defenses pay for leaving him, then provide another scoring option when Tatum gives up the ball. His last season in Philadelphia offers evidence that he can do both. Keeping that partnership on the floor remains the larger uncertainty.

At his September 15 introduction in Boston, George described a supporting role alongside Tatum after arriving in the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. “I'm here to help JT,” he said. His shooting record helps explain how that partnership could work. Celtics Wire’s report from the press conference

The shooting gives Tatum another outlet

George made 100 of 255 three-point attempts in the 2025-26 regular season, or 39.2%. Those attempts accounted for almost half of his 513 shots from the field. He also averaged 17.3 points across 37 appearances. His perimeter shooting and scoring give Boston a way to punish defenses that concentrate too heavily on Tatum. Basketball Reference’s season shooting breakdown

If Tatum draws a second defender, a pass to George could produce a three or force that defender to scramble back. George could then attack the closeout—the defender’s rush to contest his shot—before the defense resets. That would give him a chance to work against a moving opponent rather than create every opening from a standing start.

Teammates assisted 78% of George’s made threes last season. An assisted basket does not necessarily mean a stationary catch-and-shoot attempt, but that distribution suggests he can contribute without initiating every possession. Tatum could start the attack while George provides a scoring option off the pass. Boston would not need to alternate lengthy individual possessions just to give both wings a scoring role. NBA player statistics

Boston has already seen a useful version of George

George’s April 30 playoff performance against the Celtics showed how he can combine perimeter scoring, passing and defensive contributions. He scored 23 points and made five threes in Philadelphia’s Game 6 victory. He also contributed four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. The Associated Press’s game report

One sequence showed the value of a quick decision. During the third quarter, George received the ball in transition and delivered a behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe for a dunk. His pass turned the transition advantage into a basket without requiring him to take the shot.

Boston can use those complementary contributions. One strong playoff performance, however, does not establish that George can supply that level every night or settle the value of the Brown trade.

His availability record needs context

George, now 36, told reporters Tuesday that he felt physically renewed after two difficult seasons. John Karalis reported that he played just 78 regular-season games across those years. George’s optimism is his own assessment, not proof that his injury problems have ended. Karalis’s report for Celtics On SI

Those absences cannot all be assigned to injuries. The NBA suspended George for 25 games beginning January 31, 2026, for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. That suspension accounts for a substantial part of his shortened final season in Philadelphia. The NBA’s announcement

His games-played total describes how often Philadelphia had him available; it does not, by itself, measure how often his body prevented him from playing. Boston has evidence that George can help as a shooter and supporting scorer, but his health remains uncertain. A role built around Tatum can reduce how much offense George must create, but it cannot guarantee how many nights he will be available to provide it.