Guerschon Yabusele
The New York Knicks season has once again taken a positive turn. Following a long slump, they have won six games in a row, most recently taking down LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Lakers at MSG.
As the trade deadline fast approaches, the team has been relatively quiet. The two players they have been shopping are Jordan Clarkson, who finds himself out of the rotation of late, and big man Guerschon Yabusele.
Both were offseason additions expected to help improve the roster. Each has struggled in their own way, but do certainly provide legitimate value in the association. Clarkson as a microwave scorer, and Yabusele as a PF/C who can space the floor.
There has been a recent update on Yabusele that he may be in talks to join another team. One that is outside of the NBA. Let us use the next section to explain.
Guerschon Yabusele Leaving NBA for Israel?
When the NBA hasn’t been the answer for many in recent years, Israel has provided an opportunity to play high-level basketball. Patrick Beverley spent some time with Hapoel Tel Aviv after failing to find an NBA contract prior to the start of last season.
The current roster for that Hapoel Tel Aviv team includes former NBA player in Tyler Ennis, Antonio Blakeney, Vasa Micic, Ish Wainwright, Jonathon Motley, and Daniel Oturu.
A team that has won 12 games this year, they play in an incredible environment, as seen in the below highlights.
According to Sportando, the club is looking to strike a deal with Guerschon Yabusele. No stranger to playing overseas, the Frenchman spent two years with the Celtics before an extended international career began.
Yabusele re-joined the association last year as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, following an impressive performance in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The moment that led to him going viral and being out on many’s radar was when he dunked over LeBron James in the Final.
His year in Philly had him playing solid ball, and many hoping he might stay for a second year. Instead, he joined the Knicks to join a contender, but hasn’t gotten on the floor much this year.
As Yabusele weighs his options, it’s worth noting that nothing is set in stone. He could go to Israel or stay in the league, but probably just wants to be valued as an everyday player.
Possible Next Steps for Guerschon Yabusele
If Guerschon Yabusele does ultimately opt to leave the NBA and head to Israel, he would become a major addition to his new team. Even with all that NBA talent Hapoel Tel Aviv has, there is always a place for big minutes and opportunities for a guy of Yabusele’s caliber.
If he stays in the NBA, it would likely take a trade to get him into the lineup. New York has seemed better off with him on the bench. With that as the case, his $5.5/million yearly salary would be pretty easy to move.
Wherever he does land, that team will be getting a workhorse. He has stayed extremely positive and professional during his stint as a primary reserve. Can’t ask for much more than that as a staff or organization.
Wherever he ends up, good basketball will be played. At 30 years of age, Yabusele still has a lot to offer the sport.