We have a trade!
Leon Rose might not have had the midseason blockbuster up his sleeve (OG Anunoby) or added an impact bench player (Derrick Rose, Josh Hart), but he almost always makes a move. In his six seasons now as Knicks president of basketball operations, he has made a midseason move in all six:
2020-21: Traded Dennis Smith Jr. and 2021 2nd for Derrick Rose 2021-22: Traded Kevin Knox and a conditional CHA 1st for Cam Reddish 2022-23: Traded Cam Reddish (and more) for Josh Hart 2023-24: Traded Immanuel
Quickley and RJ Barrett for OG Anunoby 2024-25: Traded Jericho Sims for Delon Wright
Yes, some of these are bigger than others, but the Knicks made a move, nevertheless.
Per Shams Charania, the Knicks are trading Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls in a straight-up, 1-for-1 deal for fourth-year wing Dalen Terry. There are no draft picks involved.
The move ends a frustrating Knicks tenure for Yabusele, who went from a celebrated offseason acquisition following his career revival for the horrid 76ers last season to a pariah. He showed up in camp overweight and visibly played slower than he did in Philly or even in Eurobasket. In 41 games, he averaged just 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds on 39.3% from the field and 29.4% from three. His best game as a Knick? When he scored 11 against the Jazz in a 34-point blowout.
Yabusele’s contract had been a holdup as the Knicks attempted to swing deals for a number of bench players like Jose Alvarado, Yves Missi, and Jeremy Sochan. Yabusele has a player option for 2026-27 worth $5.7 million, making him a negative asset. It’s gotten so bad crumbs are being left on social media, and he’s flirting with overseas opportunities in Greece and Israel.
But now, he’s off the books. It was widely assumed that the Knicks would need to part with some of the little draft capital they have left to move Yabusele in any fashion, but that does not seem to be the case. This opens up extra salary for the 2026 offseason, giving the Knicks a better chance to retain Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinson in free agency. The Knicks are now projected to have $21.3 million in space under the second apron in the offseason, albeit with six roster spots to fill.
Terry was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Bulls, and the Arizona product has struggled to break through in Chicago, despite the hopeless mediocrity the team has been in. He’s started just seven games and has averaged just 11.1 minutes a night for his career, but has taken a big step forward in one aspect: three-point shooting.
The 23-year-old has never been known for his shooting, but he’s at 41.3% in a small sample size this season. He had seen an improved role as of late due to injuries and has taken advantage, averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 48% from the field and 55% from deep in his last four games.
Terry stands at 6’6” and is not a big, lanky wing, but he is taller than several rotation options and could get some minutes in a Josh Hart role, similar to what two-way wing Kevin McCullar Jr. has been getting when Hart is in street clothes. There’s a chance he could play a role, but he currently exists as emergency depth.
While fans will wake up Thursday morning assuming that this is the one and only move, there is a chance that Terry is redirected elsewhere. While the CBA normally restricts immediately flipping players, it is possible if the player’s salary is not aggregated. If the Knicks are still interested in Alvarado, for example, they can do a 1-for-1 trade while adding second-rounders as sweeteners.
This trade does, however, restrict the Knicks from acquiring another player making more than his $5.4 million salary. For that reason, Pacome Dadiet and other low-salary players can likely breathe a sigh of relief.
As for the buyout market, if no other move is made, this does nothing. The team will save approximately $38,000 from this move and will be able to sign a 15th player… three days earlier, on March 30. That basically does nothing.
This is a very small move, but one that Leon Rose has thrived with on the margins to keep flexibility. This move was undoubtedly made with offseason flexibility in mind, but don’t rule out one more deal involving Terry before the deadline at 3 PM.
