When the Sixers signed Guerschon Yabusele during the 2024 offseason, they gave him a one-year, minimum-salary contract. That deal has been a bargain, with the big man emerging as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season in Philadelphia.
Yabusele has averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.8 minutes per game across 49 outings (26 starts), posting impressive shooting percentages of 52.4% from the floor and 40.4% on three-pointers.
Given the team’s limited ability to give him a raise as a free agent this offseason, however, there was some speculation leading up to the trade deadline that Yabusele, who reportedly drew plenty of interest on the trade market, would be on the move. But Philadelphia hung onto him and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said the club feels good about a future with the Frenchman beyond this season, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I don’t think you can ever be confident in an unrestricted free agent, but we feel very good,” Morey said. “We love him. We just freed up more with (Caleb Martin‘s) contract going out; we freed up more room for the future. So we feel very good about retaining Yabu.”
As Morey notes, trading Martin, who had a guaranteed $8.6MM salary for next season, creates some additional cap flexibility going forward for the Sixers.
While it doesn’t affect what the club can offer Yabusele using his Non-Bird rights (up to 120% of his minimum), moving Martin off the books will generate some extra breathing room below the projected first tax apron in 2025/26 to potentially free up the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which will be worth up to $14.1MM, rather than the taxpayer MLE, which will be worth up to $5.7MM. Philadelphia could use that MLE to offer Yabusele a new contract.
As Pompey relays, Yabusele admitted that his contract situation is “definitely” on his mind. He’s hopeful he’ll be able to work something out with the team that gave him a second chance in the NBA after his initial stint (from 2017-19 with Boston) didn’t pan out.
“I really love this city,” Yabusele said. “I really love the fans. I really love the atmosphere and everything we got going on even though the season was up and down. And I really do think we got something going on in the team. We can definitely figure it out.
“… As far as right now, I’m going to try to play my best and definitely try to get the result. And as far as the summer, you know, I feel like I just have to sit down and see the [free agency] options. But knowing that Philly is here [as an option] is definitely something that I’m happy and proud [about].”
Will 76ers match offer of Quentin Crimes?
Let’s say 3 years $30 million
4.3 three point attempts at 40%
Mavs
If 76ers trade Paul George and 2 Firsts for Durant this summer, Suns would bench both George and Beal？
The purpose is to trade them again
Crimes? You trying to say something, Silli?
I like Yabusele. He’s earned himself a raise. He’ll turn 30 next season though. I’m curious how much he could make from the highest bidder, like Charlotte or ATL vs. a contending team like OKC or Boston. He’s put himself in a nice spot of having to choose between a bigger pay-day or potentially more wins
If they did a 1+1 player option using the Mle (monk style ) would Philly get early birds after year 1 ?
Or would it be considered a whole new contract and he’d have to fulfill the whole new 2 years to acquire them ?
Gaining sone form of bird rights must be on his mind starting so late I’d imagine
Nope. Only the contract that starts in Year 3 can be done with EBRs. PHI should still have access to the smaller MLE, I believe.
SIXERS fans be running scared, when Morey says he feels good about something.
He felt good about Pinky/Podcast P signing …….. he felt best about Jojo’s extrension.