Guerschon Yabusele discussed his notable Chicago Bulls debut and addressed his near future, confirming he will be a free agent in the summer after agreeing to waive his player option for the 2026-27 season.
Guerschon Yabusele suited up in a Chicago Bulls uniform in Toronto, less than 24 hours after being traded, to deliver his best performance of the season so far.
Yabusele spoke about his notable debut and addressed his near future, confirming he will be a free agent in the summer after a crucial amendment to his NBA contract – he agreed to waive the player option for the 2026-27 season to make the trade possible.
Without this change, the trade likely wouldn't have happened.
On Jan. 28, with the trade deadline approaching and rumors swirling, Guerschon Yabusele admitted he wasn't in control of his destiny while playing in Toronto with the New York Knicks.
Yabusele's successful Chicago Bulls debut
A week later, and only hours after the deadline passed, Yabusele returned to Toronto – this time wearing the uniform of his new team, the Chicago Bulls.
Eager to prove his value, the power forward suited up less than 24 hours after the trade and delivered a performance unlike any other he'd had this year.
He recorded a season-high 15 points and a double-double, adding 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in a 107-123 loss to the Raptors.
Whether it was a fresh start, a night of inspiration, or just a fluke, Yabusele pulled it off at the first attempt – a stark contrast to his tenure with the Knicks, where he had only one double-digit game: an 11-point outing against Utah in December.
"Everything felt pretty good tonight," Yabusele told BasketNews. "I'm looking forward to working more, to make those shots that I missed and try to help the team."
The power forward was all smiles, enjoying the present after the uncertainty surrounding his departure from New York.
While he is still under contract in the NBA, reports have linked him to return to Europe, with interest from teams such as Panathinaikos, Maccabi, and his former club, Real Madrid.
Europe will loom on the horizon soon
Yabusele left the door wide open for a return to the Old Continent, refusing to rule out any possibilities prior to the trade deadline.
"I would say the best thing that happened was coming here with the Bulls," the power forward said as he dodged compromising questions when asked by BasketNews about what teams called him.
"It's the way it went and being here, you know. I'm extremely blessed and looking forward to this team and going as far as I can," said the French player, who was one of seven acquisitions made by the Bulls at the deadline as part of a rebuilding effort.
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While Yabusele found peace of mind last night and wants to stay in the moment, EuroLeague powerhouses may soon be knocking on that open door once again.
The power forward confirmed to BasketNews that he waived the $5.7 million option he held for the 2026-27 season.
Therefore, the 2023 EuroLeague champion will become a free agent in July.
"I guess in the summer we'll figure out what happens. I did give up the player option because I wanted to play basketball at the end of the day. That's what I was really motivated about, getting out there, having some minutes tonight. It was amazing for me, I'm so happy," Yabusele said.
"I'm a little bit sad because we lost, but just being out there with those guys, it's been amazing," he added.
Bulls' coach offers high praise for Yabusele
The Bulls and Yabusele are on different timelines: Chicago is rebuilding around young talents like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, while Yabusele is at his peak at 30 years old.
However, the power forward could see significant rotation minutes on an undersized roster after the shake-up at the trade deadline.
As of now, the acquisition looks promising based on tonight's performance. Chicago's coach, Billy Donovan, highlighted the Frenchman's strengths.
"He shot the ball well, but he's always been like a very skilled guy who can handle it. He can pass, he can move. I think he knows how to space the floor, he got himself to the three-point line and got some open looks," said Donovan, who praised Yabusele's efficiency after he went 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Guerschon Yabusele left Toronto a week ago at the mercy of the trade deadline.
He returned through Canadian customs yesterday, knowing he will control his own destiny this summer, just as EuroLeague juggernauts prepare to pursue him once more.
The Only Successful EuroLeague Player In The NBA
Toni Canyameras
Toni Canyameras began his basketball media career in 2021, covering FC Barcelona. He became a fan of the sport thanks to Barça and the Japanese manga series Slam Dunk. Toni moved to Toronto in 2022 and has since been covering the NBA from a European perspective, reporting on games, All-Star weekends, and the Summer League. He holds a degree in Journalism, a Master's Degree in Sports Journalism in Spain, and a Postgraduate in Journalism in Canada.
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