He paid $1.6 million out of pocket to return to the NBA: now he’s earned a $12m deal in New York

Guerschon Yabusele has finally made his move. And he signed the deal that, given how the market shifted and his options realigned, seemed the most likely outcome: a two-year contract worth around $12 million – more likely $11.6m – with a player option in the second season. That’s the value of the taxpayer midlevel exception, which the Knicks are using to bring in the French forward. It’s a mechanism available to teams above the luxury tax line, allowing them to offer a two-year contract (four if they’re under the line), starting at $5.6 million and rising to $5.9 million – the maximum 5% increase.

Yabusele is leaving behind the minimum deal he had last season with the Sixers – just over $2 million. His new contract puts him in a higher bracket, guaranteeing him over $13 million between 2024 and 2027 as he makes his return to the NBA. It’s a solid figure after betting on himself to come back to the United States following a stellar performance with France at the Paris Olympics. He still had a year left on his contract with Real Madrid (worth just over $1 million net), and a $2.5 million buyout clause. That was paid with all the legal help the Sixers could provide – $850,000 – leaving Yabusele to cover the remaining $1.6 million from his own pocket. He then signed for one season at under $2.1 million.

It left him with little margin, but he achieved his goal: he played at a high level (11 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 50% shooting overall, 38% from three), proved he belongs in an NBA rotation, and earned himself a much-improved deal. That deal now comes from one of the Sixers’ historic rivals in the Eastern Conference – a Knicks team that just reached its first conference finals in 25 years and, with injury concerns clouding the Pacers and Celtics, looks like a strong favorite alongside the Cavaliers to reach the next NBA Finals. That, of course, is still a long way off.

A versatile piece in the Knicks’ rotation

Last season, the Knicks had an excellent Plan A – Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart and Deuce McBride – but virtually nothing beyond that. The trades for Anunoby, Bridges and Towns gutted the rotation, leaving them with almost no bench production in the playoffs. Now, even though the team remains in limbo without a replacement yet for Tom Thibodeau, things are starting to shift. Despite their financial tightrope, they’ve turned minimal contributions from Cameron Payne and Precious Achiuwa into Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson, who will sign for the minimum after a buyout with the Utah Jazz. The pair will cost just $9.3 million next season – less than Payne and Achiuwa – but offer, at least in theory, far greater impact on the court.

From Yabusele, the Knicks want more of what he gave the Sixers: versatility in the frontcourt, plenty of minutes at the four, and some at the five in small-ball lineups. He’ll need to work to cover his defensive shortcomings, but he offers high offensive value – court vision, passing, and a solid outside shot. That should allow him to play alongside both Towns and Robinson. He’s a perfect wildcard thanks to his 38% from three, nearly 40% on above-the-break threes – the non-corner long-range shots the Knicks have struggled to convert. In that department, Yabusele actually outperformed players like Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry and Jalen Brunson – now his teammate – last season. Only two players hit over 200 threes from those areas and over 200 shots near the rim while converting at around 40% and 70% respectively: Yabusele and Nikola Jokić. So the Knicks are welcoming a player who should deepen a rotation that was their biggest Achilles’ heel last season.

The Sixers had hoped to keep the French power forward, even turning down offers from title contenders at the trade deadline. The goal was to find a way to sign him now, though the risk – which ultimately came to pass – was always that he’d end up elsewhere for nothing in return. And not just anywhere: a direct rival, both historically and competitively, in the East. The Denver Nuggets didn’t make a push, but it was Yabusele himself who chose New York over the Rockies and the Jokić-led project that won the title in 2023.

What’s curious is that the Sixers also had the taxpayer midlevel available, meaning they could have made the same offer the Knicks did – but no more. The issue was timing: Philadelphia’s top priority is re-signing 25-year-old shooting guard Quentin Grimes, a restricted free agent still waiting for his moment in the market. Had Yabusele, now 29, accepted that midlevel exception, the Sixers would have had no legal way to exceed the NBA’s second apron ($207.8 million). And if an opposing team made Grimes an offer that required going beyond that line, they’d be unable to match – and would lose him.

So the Sixers needed Yabusele to wait. He chose not to. Instead, he went with the tangible offer already on the table. There was never a formal proposal from Philadelphia, nor any call from his camp to discuss the Knicks’ terms.

The ending felt inevitable. The Sixers might have gambled – only the Nets, at this point, have the cap space to make a big offer and pry Grimes away. But Brooklyn is rebuilding, more focused on absorbing bad contracts in exchange for draft picks than going after a player like Grimes. Still, the Sixers chose to preserve their flexibility and let Yabusele walk. That was the price. And the Frenchman closes a short but significant chapter in Philadelphia – one that helped launch his NBA comeback. He leaves behind friends like Tyrese Maxey, the All-Star who bid him farewell yesterday:“He already messaged me saying they’re gonna sweep us in the playoffs... I love Yabu, I’m really, really happy for him and his family... we’ve been close for a long time.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment.Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.