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Knicks president Leon Rose is no stranger to gambling on former All-Star.
The New York Knicks have made some massive moves in recent years, which have allowed them to put together one of the best rosters in the NBA.
However, one of their smaller-scale deals has landed them on an undesirable list.
As ESPN ranked out the league’s 10 worst transactions since last summer, the Knicks popped up at No. 8 for their decision to sign Guerschon Yabusele.
Knicks Land On A Bad List For Their Guerschon Yabusele Decision
GettyGuerschon Yabusele #28 of the New York Knicks
via ESPN: The Knicks seemingly stole him from their division rivals in free agency — and promptly watched his numbers regress
The Philadelphia 76ers were among several teams to grow intrigued by Yabusele’s NBA potential while watching the Olympics in 2024.
The then-Real Madrid star received help from Philadelphia to strike a buyout before securing a one-year deal with the Sixers.
The Knicks watched Yabusele excel throughout a 70-game showing in 2024-2025. The veteran forward averaged 11.0 points, while shooting 50.1% from the field and 38.0% from deep.
Yabusele also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He showed value as a starter (43 games) and a reserve for the rest.
The Sixers didn’t offer Yabusele more than the Knicks in free agency. The French star signed a two-year deal, worth $11.2 million, for the Knicks. They cut ties with the veteran before reaching the trade deadline in February 2026.
Yabusele averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds during his 41-game stretch with the Knicks.
It’s Not All Bad For New York
GettyJose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks gestures against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As noted by ESPN, the Knicks “already turned their worst move of the year into their best.”
The Knicks’ front office wisely cut ties with Yabusele as early as they could. He was sent to the Chicago Bulls, and even did them a favor while walking out the door by waiving his second-year option.
It gave the Knicks the financial freedom to later acquire Jose Alvarado, which was a praised transaction for New York (listed as the 10th-best move in the NBA by ESPN).
What’s Next For Yabusele?
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 02: Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a call by the referee during the second half against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on February 02, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The NBA wasn’t new for the then-29-year-old, who signed with the Sixers out of Spain in 2024. That was his second shot to show the league he belongs.
Yabusele was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017. He spent two seasons with the organization, appearing in 74 games.
Seeing the court for 6.6 minutes per game, Yabusele produced 2.3 points per game, and 1.4 rebounds per game for Boston. He was waived in 2019, which led to five years of bouncing around outside of the NBA.
Fast forward to 2026, Yabusele is completing a short-term contract with the Chicago Bulls. The numbers are back up.
In 18 games, Yabusele has been shooting 42.0% from the field and 43.5% from three, to average 10.1 points per game. He is also coming down with 5.8 rebounds per game, while producing 1.9 assists.
At the end of the 2025-2026 NBA season, Yabusele will hit free agency for the second year in a row.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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