While putting an end to their coaching search, the New York Knicks have also been hard at work making upgrades to the roster in free agency. Recently, one inside applauded the front office nabbing one of the more interesting names on the market.
In their first free agency swing, the Knicks secured much-needed backcourt depth in the form of Jordan Clarkson. As an effective microwave scorer, the former Sixth Man of the Year can help keep the offense running when Jalen Brunson is on the bench. After that, Leon Rose bolstered New York's frontcourt with a versatile two-way player.
After being out of the league for years, Guerschon Yabusele made his return to the NBA last season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He went on to be one of the best signings of the offseason, emerging as an X-factor for the injury-ridden team. Coming off such a strong showing, Yabusele was expected to have a sizable market in free agency.
Multiple teams expressed interest in the French forward, but Yabusele opted to ink a two-year deal with the Knicks. Insider Ian Begley touched on the move for SNY, praising the Knicks for such a strong acquisition.
"On the second day of free agency the Knicks landing one of the best big men available on the market in Guerschon Yabusele," Begley said. "Yabusele had a strong season in Philadelphia...In Yabusele, they get a very talented big man. A guy who did a lot of different things for the Sixers last year."
"In Yabusele, they get a very talented big man, a guy who did a lot of different things for the Sixers last year"@IanBegley with more on the Knicks' addition of Guerschon Yabusele and what other moves the team can make pic.twitter.com/oQuzcEOoIm
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 1, 2025
Now with the Knicks, Yabusele has a chance to be a key piece on a team with championship aspirations. He fits the identity they've built with his intensity on the defensive end, and can give them versatility on offense. Yabusele is capable of stepping out and spacing the floor, but is also a viable pick-and-roll partner as a small-ball center. His skill set should allow New York to deploy multiple different lineup combinations and schemes in the frontcourt.
During his lone season with the Sixers, Yabusele averaged 11.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG on 38% shooting from beyond the arc.