The Knicks thought they found a low-risk, high-reward piece this offseason when they signed Guerschon Yabusele to a two-year deal. On paper, it made a lot of sense. A versatile forward with size, strength, and a proven ability to contribute off the bench-he looked like the kind of complementary big who could slot in behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson and give New York’s frontcourt some real depth.
But things didn’t unfold the way the Knicks hoped.
Instead of carving out a steady role, Yabusele found himself mostly on the outside looking in. He averaged just 8.9 minutes per game, contributing 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds-a far cry from the 11 points and 5.6 boards he posted last season in Philadelphia when he was getting over 27 minutes a night. The drop-off wasn’t just in production-it was in opportunity.
Head coach Mike Brown, now in his first season with the Knicks, never quite found a place for Yabusele in his rotation. Whether it was a matter of fit, scheme, or simply a coaching preference, Yabusele didn’t get the runway to show what he could do.
And he noticed. In a recent interaction on social media, he agreed with a fan’s take that his skill set wasn’t being fully tapped into during his time in New York.
That frustration didn’t linger long. On Wednesday, Yabusele was traded to the Chicago Bulls-and by Thursday, he was already suiting up in red and black, wasting no time to make his case.
Against the Toronto Raptors, Yabusele looked like a player with something to prove. He delivered a double-double-15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals-while knocking down three of his six attempts from beyond the arc. It was a performance that didn’t just speak volumes, it shouted.
For Chicago, the timing couldn’t be better. The Bulls have been thin up front, and Yabusele’s ability to stretch the floor, rebound, and defend multiple positions gives them a much-needed boost. With his contract restructured to void the second year in order to facilitate the trade, this is essentially a showcase stretch for the French forward-a chance to prove he belongs in the league and earn another deal this summer.
Meanwhile, back in New York, the spotlight naturally shifts to Mike Brown. Was there more the Knicks could’ve done to unlock Yabusele’s game?
To be fair, Brown inherited the roster and wasn’t the one who brought Yabusele in. But in a league where rotations are fluid and roles are earned in practice and on the court, the question lingers: Did the Knicks give him a real shot?
What’s clear now is that Yabusele still has plenty to offer. He’s not just a body off the bench-he’s a player who can impact games when given the opportunity. And in Chicago, it looks like he’s finally getting that chance.