The much-anticipated Dec. 15 date is quickly approaching, bringing with it a flurry of trade speculation both around the league and among fans. For those unfamiliar, this is the day when most contracts signed during the previous offseason become trade-eligible.
Jake Fischer of Substack has reported that minimum contracts are becoming a hot commodity as teams assess values across the league. Under the new CBA, teams are grappling with the salary cap and tax aprons, making minimum contracts more valuable than ever. This has fueled speculation that the Sixers may look to trade Guerschon Yabusele, especially since they could face challenges in retaining him next offseason.
However, Marc Stein poured cold water on this idea in his latest insider report:
“...readers have been asking us about Philadelphia’s Guerschon Yabusele.
Asking us, more specifically, if the Sixers’ 6-15 start could put Yabusele on the trade market between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
All current signs point to a resounding no.
The Sixers, for starters, awoke Sunday only 2 1/2 games out of the Play-In Tournament in the ever-forgiving Eastern Conference. Why would Philly even consider parting with a player who has been so productive on a minimum deal when they are only five games out of the No. 6 seed?
One source consulted stressed that the Sixers are thrilled with the production they’ve gotten from Yabusele after bringing him back to the NBA following his Olympic star turn with hosts France. It’s one of the few things that has gone right for Joel Embiid and Co.; Yabusele entered Sunday’s play averaging 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game and 40.5% shooting from 3-point range ... all while earning a shade under $2.1 million this season.”
Yabusele has been one of the few bright spots of the season. Since his return to the NBA, he’s become a regular part of the team’s nightly rotation, whether playing power forward alongside Joel Embiid or Andre Drummond or stepping into a small-ball center role. He went from being a relatively unknown last-minute addition to one of the more valuable players on the team.
The Sixers are currently projected to be close to reaching the dreaded second apron, which would limit them to offering only minimum contracts to free agents. This could change depending on their actions at the trade deadline, but the bottom line is that making a competitive offer to Yabusele in the free-agent market could be challenging.
Given his impact on the court and the Sixers’ limited flexibility under the salary cap, Yabusele’s future will remain a key storyline to watch moving forward. While they appear committed to keeping him through the season, the looming trade deadline could force tough decisions. For now, his role as a reliable contributor is solidified, but how the Sixers manage their roster in the coming months may ultimately shape whether they can secure his services long-term or explore other options.