Traitor: Guerschon Yabusele heads to New York after one year in Philly

Well, that didn’t last long. Guerschon Yabusele is heading to the Knicks, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal that includes a player option in Year 2, per Shams Charania.

The rats in New York are using the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign him, according to Ian Begley. So after a productive return to the NBA in Philadelphia, Yabu is taking his talents up I-95 to the Garden.

Guerschon Yabusele signs with the New York Knicks in free agency

https://t.co/mjq8wL9yO6 pic.twitter.com/6hDdOdZZ6U

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) July 1, 2025

Kidding…Guerschon Yabusele isn’t a traitor…I guess

The Sixers don’t have much money to work with. It was expected that Yabu would walk this summer. It’s still a bit of a blow for the Sixers, who signed Yabusele last summer from Real Madrid on a minimum deal and got way more than they paid for.

He played 70 games, second-most on the team behind Ricky Council IV, and gave them steady production across the board.

Guerschon Yabusele 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game. Not flashy, just dependable—whether he was playing the four or filling in as an undersized five when Embiid and Drummond were out.

Regardless, it’s hard to not look at this as a classic case of the Sixers helping a guy re-establish himself in the league, only for another team to cash in.

What’s Next for the Sixers’ Frontcourt?

The departure of Guerschon Yabusele, combined with the team actively shopping Andre Drummond, per The Athletic’s Tony Jones, leaves a lot of uncertainty behind Joel Embiid. Philly still has Adem Bona and Johni Broome, two promising young bigs, but that’s a lot to ask from rookies if Drummond is indeed moved.

At power forward, they’ve already made a move, signing Trendon Watford on the opening night of free agency. That’s a solid get, but Watford’s more of a hybrid forward than a Yabusele replacement in the truest sense.

Sixers add Trendon Watford on night 1 of NBA free agency

Guerschon Yabusele was a glue guy….

Smart, physical, do-whatever-you-need type player. Philly got a good year out of him. The Knicks paid for the next two. That’s show biz, baby.

Now the Sixers have to figure out their frontcourt depth, especially if they’re serious about moving Drummond. Joel Embiid definitely can’t do it alone, and the team can’t afford to roll into October with two rookies and a prayer.

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