When the Knicks brought in Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $12 million deal this past summer, there was a real sense of optimism around the move. Fresh off a strong bounce-back season with the Sixers after years away from the NBA, Yabusele looked like a potential solution to New York’s longstanding bench depth issues. A versatile forward with size and shooting touch, he seemed like a natural fit for a team with championship aspirations.
But fast forward to mid-December, and things haven’t exactly gone according to plan.
A Tough Start in the Big Apple
Yabusele’s first season in New York has been rocky, to say the least. He’s averaging just 9.8 minutes per game and hasn’t carved out a consistent role in Mike Brown’s rotation.
For a player who was expected to be a regular contributor off the bench, that’s a steep drop-off. Most nights, he’s only seeing the floor if the Knicks are dealing with foul trouble or injuries in the frontcourt.
What’s been particularly frustrating is how the areas that once looked like strengths - his shooting and defensive versatility - have become liabilities. He’s hitting just 29.5% from three-point range, and his struggles on the defensive end have been hard to ignore.
In a system that demands quick rotations, physicality, and pace on both ends, Yabusele has often looked a step behind. Opposing wings have been able to exploit him off the dribble, and that’s made it difficult for the coaching staff to trust him in high-leverage situations.
Yabusele Speaks Out
In a recent interview with Ouest France, Yabusele opened up about the challenges he’s faced this season. His comments painted the picture of a competitor frustrated by his limited role but still trying to stay ready.
“I don’t want to lie to you, it’s very difficult,” Yabusele said. “I’m a competitor first.
It’s not a situation I thought I would be in coming here. I try to be ready whenever my name is called.
I try to control my impact on the court, no matter how much time I get.”
That mindset - staying prepared and focused despite the circumstances - is what you want from a veteran pro. But it’s clear this isn’t the role he envisioned when he signed with the Knicks.
What Comes Next?
As of Monday, Yabusele is officially eligible to be traded ahead of the February 5 deadline. And with the Knicks looking to fine-tune their roster for a playoff push, it wouldn’t be surprising if they explored potential deals involving him. He still has value as a stretch forward with size, and a change of scenery could help him regain the rhythm he had in Philadelphia.
Right now, though, his future in New York feels uncertain. The Knicks took a calculated swing on a player who showed flashes of being a valuable contributor, but so far, it just hasn’t clicked. Whether it’s a matter of fit, confidence, or simply being in the wrong system, Yabusele hasn’t been able to replicate the success that brought him back to the league.
There’s still time for things to turn around - a couple of strong performances, a few made threes, a stretch of solid defense - but the clock is ticking. And with the trade window now open, the Knicks will have to decide whether to stay patient or pivot.
For Yabusele, the path forward is simple: stay ready, stay professional, and hope the next opportunity - whether in New York or elsewhere - brings a better fit.