The New York Knicks may be sitting pretty at 20-8, fresh off an NBA Cup win and holding the No. 2 seed in the East, but make no mistake - this front office isn’t standing still. According to league reports, the Knicks are actively exploring the trade market, and one name that’s surfaced as a potential trade chip is forward Guerschon Yabusele.
Yabusele, who inked a two-year, $11.7 million deal with New York this past July, hasn’t quite found his rhythm in the Big Apple. After a strong showing last season in Philadelphia and a standout Olympic run with France, the Knicks hoped they were getting a versatile forward ready to contribute off the bench. But so far, the fit just hasn’t clicked.
In limited minutes this season, Yabusele is averaging just three points and 2.2 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency has dipped, and the impact he had in Philly - where he looked like a legitimate rotation piece - hasn’t translated.
As it stands, he’s making $5.5 million this season, with a $5.7 million player option on the books for 2026-27. That contract, while not massive, isn’t exactly easy to move without some sweetener attached.
And that’s where things get interesting. Multiple league executives have reportedly told The Athletic’s James L.
Edwards III that the Knicks are expected to “attach something” - likely a draft pick or a young player - to facilitate a deal. The front office has been working the phones, with two areas of focus: adding another ballhandler and shoring up the frontcourt with another big.
Yabusele’s NBA journey has been anything but conventional. Drafted 16th overall by the Celtics in 2016, he spent two seasons in Boston, appearing in 74 games in a limited role.
After being waived, he headed overseas and carved out a solid career in Europe before returning to the league last year with Philadelphia. That comeback season saw him average 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 70 games - a performance that helped him land his current deal with New York.
But now, just a few months into his Knicks tenure, the team is already looking to move on. It’s not necessarily a knock on Yabusele’s talent - he’s shown he can be a productive contributor in the right system. But in New York’s current rotation, he’s become the odd man out.
With the trade deadline set for February 5, the Knicks have time to work the market. They’re clearly in win-now mode, and even with a strong record, they know the Eastern Conference is a gauntlet.
Every piece matters. Whether Yabusele ends up as part of a deal to bring in a backup point guard or a frontcourt upgrade, the Knicks are signaling that they’re not content with just a good start - they want to build a roster that can make a deep playoff run.
Bottom line: Yabusele’s time in New York may be short-lived, but his next stop could offer a fresh chance to recapture the form he showed just a season ago. For the Knicks, it’s all about maximizing the window they’re in - and they’re not waiting around to do it.