Guerschon Yabusele could be playing his way out of New York after less than one season with the Knicks.
Knicks Trade Candidate Has No Intention Of Heading Back To Europe
The Knicks front office has made a pretty big investment over the last few seasons, and they potentially could reap the benefits this spring. The Knicks, who have the seventh-highest payroll in the NBA, are undoubly one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference despite their recent struggles. But the Knicks do have to upgrade their depth.
New York has fallen to third in the conference, four games behind the Detroit Pistons, after losing four straight and six of 10. A big reason for their struggles has been Josh Hart’s absence. Hart is not only the heart and soul of the team; he is also their best point-of-attack defender.
New York is 4-4 in the eight games Hart has missed heading into Wednesday night’s game, as their defense has collapsed. Nearly 5 points per game have outscored the Knicks, who allow over 121 points per game. The Knicks allow opponents to shoot 49% from the field and 40% from the 3-point line. They are also getting outreounded by three boards a contest.
Knicks Bench
New York has one of the best starting units in the NBA with five legitimate starters. The Knicks did upgrade their bench in the offseason with Jordan Clarkson joining Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson as the top players off the bench. Landry Shamet, who has been sidelined since November 22 with a shoulder injury, has also been good. Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti have had their moments, while 2025 second-round selection Mohammed Diawara has shown flashes.
Overall, the Knicks have one of the worst benches in the league. The Knicks’ reserves are the third-lowest-scoring unit in the league, averaging 32 points, and they get outscored by nearly 5 points by opposing second units.
Yabusele and 2024 first-round pick Pacome Dadiet are the two biggest disappointments. While it was known that Dadiet was a project, whose defense is farther along than his offense, Yabusele was expected to be a major contributor.
Guerschon Yabusele Expected To Exercise Player Option
Yabusele signed a two-year, $11.2 million deal with the Knicks this summer after a career season with Philadelphia. The 30-year-old French forward has struggled mightily this season, averaging 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10 minutes of action over 31 appearances. He has scored in double-figures once, shooting just 40.7% from the field and 32.1% from deep. It has gotten so bad that he is likely out of the coach Mike Brown‘s rotation when the Knicks are healthy.
Yabusele is a trade candidate. However, if the Knicks do trade the 6-7 forward, it would likely be about flexibility and cap management, heading into next year. Yabusele has a $5.77 million player option that, it sounds like, he fully intends to exercise.
“If you play three years in the NBA, you get a lifetime pension. After four seasons, medical expenses are covered for life,” Yabusele, who is in his fourth NBA season, recently told BasketNews. “And after five years, the medical coverage is extended to the entire family. I want to play in the NBA for 5 years so my family can benefit from that lifetime care. You never know what can happen in life.”
Yabusele was drafted with the No. 16 pick in 2016 by the Boston Celtics. After playing sparingly in two seasons with the Celtics, Yabusele signed with Nanjing Tongxi Monkey King of the Chinese Basketball Association in August 2019. Then, in February 2020, he signed with French club ASVEL Basket. He moved to Real Madrid for three seasons, starting in 2021-22, before returning to the NBA last year.
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