About 14 months ago, Guerschon Yabusele was considered one of the worst draft picks in recent Celtics history. The 2016 lottery pick had a lot of hype coming out of France, but failed to live up to his 16th overall billing. In 74 games with Boston across two seasons, the Frenchman averaged a flaming 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Less than two years after signing his initial deal with the C’s, Yabusele was out of the league.
After a year in China and a couple of seasons back in France, there
was no reason to think the NBA would be calling again. Yeah, he posted solid numbers in international play, but nothing eye-popping. Surely that was it.
And then, on the biggest stage of his life, with the entire world watching, Guerschon Yabusele did this.
Now, it’s hyperbole to say that that play was the sole reason NBA teams started thinking about him again, but if you want to get the attention of scouts, you should probably dunk on LeBron James in the gold medal match at the Olympics.
However you choose to spin it, Yabusele scored 22, 17, and 20 points against Canada, Germany, and the United States, respectively, on France’s silver medal run. Across those three games, he shot 16-of-24 from the field. His ability to stretch the floor and provide size at the four spot was showcased at the highest level, and NBA teams started ringing.
Ultimately, the Sixers gave him a one-year deal for $2.1 million. If nothing else, it was worth another shot to see if his skills translated to the American game.
They did.
On a Philadelphia team riddled with injuries, Yabu got a lot of run, putting up an impressive 11.0/5.6/2.1 while shooting a hyper-efficient 50.1% from the field and 38.0% from deep.
Those aren’t just good numbers. Those are winning numbers.
Don’t believe me? After winning a title in his native French league, he won a Euroleague chip in 2023 for Real Madrid. He was also on two Celtics teams that won playoff series in back-to-back years. Add in his success in international play for Team France, capped by a pair of silver medals in Olympic play, and it’s clear that this guy rises to the top at any level.
Yabusele is a versatile player who can score in a lot of different ways. He’s a big body at 240 pounds, he’s effective in the post, and he shoots a consistent three-ball. He’s perfectly suited for a seventh- or eighth-man role off the bench.
In other words, he’s exactly what the Knicks need. And that’s why they gave him his first real payday: a two-year deal worth $11.7 million.
As magical as last year’s playoff run was, it showed just how badly the Knicks needed a scoring punch off the bench. The front office responded by picking up Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, two studs who bring energy and offense to the floor every time they’re on the floor.
What are reasonable expectations, you ask?
Well, it’s hard to predict how Mike Brown will tinker with his rotations. Certainly, minutes will be more generously distributed amongst starters and bench players, and Yabusele could benefit as a result.
Still, regardless of how many minutes he plays, he’ll have a role. Here’s how he can provide value to this year’s team.
Shoot 37%+ from three
Listen. I can’t imagine we see 38.1% from deep again this year. It just doesn’t happen. There’s bound to be a drop off.
But if we can get good-to-great three-point shooting on the second unit from a forward, the Knicks will be happy with this signing. Simple.
Stay big defensively
The Knicks need Yabusele to play as big as he actually is. He’ll rebound. He’ll use his body. But his footwork, speed, and defensive positioning hold him back on that end of the floor. Not choosing to quantify this here, but we’ll see what his motor looks like as the season goes on. And we’ll know.
Provide a flexible frontcourt role
The Sixers loved Yabu last year because when Embiid went down, he seamlessly slid into the small-ball center role that kept the defense stretched. He made the right plays. He shot over bigger defenders; he took smaller ones to the post. It all worked.
The Knicks might use him as a four initially, given the KAT/Mitch center rotation. But Mitch won’t play all 82 – let’s not fool ourselves. Yabusele will have to be ready to wear a bunch of different rotational hats this year. It’s a long season. And he should be up to the challenge.
I leave you with this.
