The New York Knicks have made an exciting addition to their roster by signing French forward Guerschon Yabusele. The 29-year-old player has agreed to a two-year contract worth approximately $12 million, which includes a player option for the second year. This move was confirmed by sources on Tuesday.
Yabusele’s journey has seen a remarkable turnaround. After struggling early in his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, he found new life during the 2024 Olympics, where he played a key role for the French national team, helping them secure a silver medal. His performance caught the attention of NBA teams, and he had a solid season with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
The Knicks are likely using their midlevel exception to bring Yabusele on board, which means they will have limited flexibility to fill the rest of their roster, relying mostly on minimum or rookie contracts. Recently, they also agreed to sign Jordan Clarkson to a minimum deal, further shaping their roster.
Yabusele’s shooting ability has made him a valuable asset, especially as a floor spacer. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, he can stretch the floor, which is crucial for modern NBA offenses. Last season, he played in 70 games for the Sixers, starting 43 of them, and averaged 27.1 minutes on the court.
With the Knicks, Yabusele is expected to play a significant role in the frontcourt, joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as key options. His signing also hints at a shift in the Knicks’ strategy, as they seem to be moving away from pursuing veteran Al Horford, who is considering leaving the Boston Celtics.
Yabusele is part of a growing French influence within the Knicks, joining recent draft picks Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara. This trend could bring a fresh dynamic to the team as they look to improve in the upcoming season.