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In an effort to add depth to head coach Mike Brown's roster, the New York Knicks are expected to shop two of their big men in trade rumors.
While they still look like they have a real chance to come out of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks need to make some roster moves ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline to ensure what would be their most successful playoff run this century.
Namely, by moving on from two of their big men, Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet, according to two NBA insiders, Marc Stein of The Stein Line and Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. The two have seen a limited run under new head coach Mike Brown, and as New York hopes to add more depth either in the backcourt or on the wings, they appear to be on the way out.
“League sources say that Guerschon Yabusele and Pacôme Dadiet are available before the Feb. 5 trade deadline to potentially set the Knicks up to do some minor tweaking,” Stein wrote on his Substack.
Yabusele is averaging just 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 32 appearances, while Dadiet is putting up only 0.4 points and 0.7 rebounds in just 14 games.
Knicks Trade Rumors
Trade rumors surrounding Yabusele have been around for a few weeks now, as after a strong stint with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, he’s rarely been anything more than a limited reserve player for the Knicks this season.
He’s making only $5.5 million for the Knicks this season, which, over the summer, was expected to be a steal, but nearly halfway through the season, he’s spent most of his time on the bench, and when in games, he hasn’t been much of a difference maker.
The same sentiment is true for Dadiet, who, in his second season, doesn’tlook like he’ll ever get a chance to prove his worth in the league onthis current New York team.
“So I suspect the Knicks shop Yabu/Dadiet as a deadline pair for a $7-8 million player, and probably get someone decent, but it’s just hard to imagine it’s someone who fills the specific niche they thought Yabu would because there are so few guys like,” Quinn wrote in a post on X in December.
So I suspect the Knicks shop Yabu/Dadiet as a deadline pair for a $7-8 million player, and probably get someone decent, but it's just hard to imagine it's someone who fills the specific niche they thought Yabu would because there are so few guys like. https://t.co/esHEPMZ5ee
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 22, 2025
The Knicks have Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt, and while there aremajor questions about both of them throughout the course of a season and playoffs, they don’t look like they’ll be giving up their spots for either Yabusele or Dadiet anytime soon.
In exchange for either, or both, the Knicks are likely looking for someone who can add depth to their already shortened roster. In a recent article on The Athletic by James L. Edwards, New York was predicted to target Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans, Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings, or Ochai Agbaji of the Toronto Raptors.
All are on small deals, and each could come in with the second unit and spark some much-needed momentum while Jalen Brunson and company are on the bench.
They could target a few other low-to-mid-level contract players, but with so manyother teams in the hunt for just a few trade targets, New York doesn’t have the assets that compare to teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, especially when it comes to landing a big fish like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Yabusele Wants To Stay In The NBA Regardless Of Knicks Future
While Yabusele appears to be the most likely player traded on this current Knicks roster, the French big man has major hopes of playing in the NBA for at least a few more years.
In a recent interview with a French YouTuber, Yabusele said that he wants to play at least five seasons in the league to secure medical coverage for his family. The NBA currently allows players with at least five seasons of playing experience to have retirement benefits, and Yabusele wants that for himself and his family.
“If you play three years in the NBA, you get a lifetime pension. After four seasons, medical expensesare covered for life,” Yabusele explained. “And after five years, the medical coverage is extended to the entire family. I want to play for five years here in the NBA so that my family can benefit from that lifetime care. You never know what can happen in life.”
The big man previously began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics in 2017, playing two seasons with them beforegoing back to France. However, after his run with the French national team, of which he is now the captain, and their Gold Medal game against the US National team, he earned a contract last season with the Sixers.
Now with the Knicks in his fourth total NBA season, Yabusele needs at least one more year in the league to earn medical coverage for his family. While still a cutthroat line of work, hopefully, he can play out the rest of his current deal, set to expire after next season, regardless of what team that may be with.