Guerschon Yabusele made his NBA return with the Philadelphia 76ers last season. The forward had impressed with the French National Team during the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning a one-year deal with the Sixers.
However, Yabusele’s first season back in the NBA didn’t go as planned. Multiple injuries to key players derailed the Sixers season. However, Yabusele believes that the injuries were only part of the problem.
During a recent appearance on “The Roommates” podcast, Yabusele cited the franchise’s in-season trades as the primary cause of the Sixers’ decline.
âI feel like we tried, and then what really changed the team a little bit was, in my opinion, the trades,â Yabusele said. âBecause I feel like we were there. Guys were just injured. We should have trust a little bit more that and try to let the guys come back to be able to pursue, try to get to the playoffs. And then I feel like when we changed that, basically, we changed four guys or something like that. And then there’s like four new guys coming up, and then it was a lot of guys that keep getting signed for 10-day contracts here and there. So, it was it was hard to find the chemistry, you know, with the teammates.â
Yabusele made it clear that a lack of roster continuity played a role in the Sixers’ difficult season. This then compounded into the franchise missing the playoffs and three key stars being shut down.
Sixers Made Low Offer to Yabusele
Yabusele entered this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Having been one of the few impressive players for Nick Nurse’s rotation last season, many assumed Philadelphia would try to keep him around.
Yet, during a recent appearance on SK Week TV, Yabusele revealed Daryl Morey had made him a low-ball offer.
âI was like, âOkay, if they want to resign me and then they give me something good, I will come back for sure. And if they want me to leave, then I will leave,’â Yabusele said. âI didnât have any hard feelings or a hard time. But they almost didnât make a real offer. They did, but it was really low. So, to be transparent, I felt like, âOh my God, you guys, it seems like you donât really want me to stay.â It was a situation, but no hard feelings. Iâm always thankful for them. They gave me my second chance.â
Yabusele has since signed with the New York Knicks. He will likely play a legitimate bench role in their push for an NBA championship in the seasons ahead.
Yabusele is Pleased to be With New York
In the same interview with SK Week, Yabusele shared his excitement to be teaming up with the Knicks.
âI think the Knicks was a great decision,â Yabusele said. âBecause I feel like their team really matches my DNA to fight hardâ¦What I like about the team, is what they did this seasonâ¦This could be a good chance and opportunity to play there.â
Losing Yabusele is a blow to the Sixers depth chart. They will struggle to replace what he brung to the rotation and the second unit. Unfortunately, Morey had some tough decisions to make this summer. Clearly, Yabusele’s future with the franchise was one of them.
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