If you’re excited about the Jose Alvarado trade, you should thank Guerschon Yabusele.
Late Wednesday night, the Knicks moved Yabusele to Chicago in exchange for Dalen Terry. On Thursday afternoon, they traded Terry and two second-round picks (a 2026 pick and a 2027 pick) to New Orleans.
Why should Yabusele get a "thank you" for the Alvarado deal?
The power forward worked with the Knicks to amend his contract, removing the $5.8 million 2026-27 player option.
This was a crucial detail in the trade. The Bulls don’t do the deal if they have to take on Yabusele’s $5.8 million player option.
Why would Yabusele leave a guaranteed $5.8 million on the table? He wanted to get on the court.
Yabusele has been out of Mike Brown’s rotation for most of the season.
Barring injury, Yabusele wasn’t going to crack the rotation.
If he kept his player option, Yabusele probably would’ve been stuck in New York* for the rest of the year.
(*No team is trading for an out-of-the-rotation player on the books for $5.8 million in 2026-27. The Knicks would’ve had to attach several second-round draft picks to facilitate a Yabusele deal.)
But Yabusele amended his deal and got what he wanted – a chance to play. Chicago is coming out of the trade deadline with a thin front line. Yabusele should get minutes right away. If he plays well, Yabusele should have plenty of NBA suitors in free agency. He will definitely have overseas suitors.
But let’s get back to the Knicks.
In Terry, New York acquired a player entering restricted free agency. So Terry essentially is on an expiring contract. The Knicks used Terry’s contract to seal the Alvarado trade.
They don’t get Terry’s contract without Yabusele waiving his player option.
So if you liked the Knicks trade for Alvarado, tip your cap to Geurschon Yabusele.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Knicks saved some money at the trade deadline. According to Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron, New York shed around $1 million in its two trades.
That means the Knicks have enough money to sign a free agent. Who will they target? I’m not sure. But it’s worth noting that New York explored the trade market for centers. Maybe they find one in free agency. Maybe they decide to add backcourt depth in the wake of Miles McBride’s injury.
Jan 7, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) reacts after a basket against the LA Clippers during the first half at Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
TOUGH NEWS ON DEUCE
McBride had been out for five consecutive games with ankle soreness. He may be out for the rest of the season with a sports hernia. News of McBride’s sports hernia surgery surprised some of his teammates on Thursday. They now have to move forward without one of their most important players.
The trade for Alvarado was not directly connected to the McBride injury. The Knicks had long targeted Alvarado. I believe the deal was getting done regardless of McBride’s status. Now, Alvarado becomes even more important for the Knicks.
‘OFF’ OFFSEASON
The Knicks offseason signings have not panned out. Yabusele was traded to Chicago**. Jordan Clarkson** is outside of Brown’s rotation. As noted above, New York did well in offloading Yabusele. But the signings were a miss for Leon Rose and his front office; that same front office, of course, has helped turn the Knicks into a title contender. In my opinion, they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt. But their performance in free agency last summer was underwhelming. Clarkson is on a minimum contract. He’s a low-risk signing. But the Knicks used significant resources to sign Yabusele.
If Alvarado helps lead New York to the NBA Finals this spring, no one will care about the 2025 offseason. But if New York fails to reach the Finals, the moves made last summer will be scrutinized.
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