Guerschon Yabusele came into this season with high hopes. But as we approach the trade deadline, it’s clear things haven’t gone according to plan - for him or for the Knicks.
“It’s definitely not what I was expecting coming into the season,” Yabusele said before the Knicks’ recent win over the Sixers. “I thought it would be a little more different.”
That kind of candid reflection speaks volumes. Yabusele isn’t hiding from the reality - his role in New York has diminished, and his name is firmly in the trade conversation with the February 5 deadline looming.
The 28-year-old forward has been linked to multiple trade scenarios, and he’s not exactly dodging the speculation. In fact, he’s leaned into it - reposting messages on social media that hint at a desire for a fresh start, including one that called for “a trade and a good situation” for the French national team captain.
That tells you where his mindset is. He’s not sulking, but he’s clearly aware that his current situation isn’t ideal - and he’s not afraid to show it.
On the floor, the numbers tell the story. Yabusele played just three scoreless minutes in Saturday’s game and has largely fallen out of Mike Brown’s rotation.
That’s a far cry from what many expected when he first arrived in New York - a versatile big who could bring energy and toughness off the bench. Instead, he’s become a peripheral figure on a team that’s still figuring out its identity.
To his credit, Yabusele is keeping it professional.
“It’s nothing that I can control,” he said. “Just try to be smart, be ready when my name is called.”
That kind of approach matters, especially for a player who’s been through the grind. Yabusele’s resurgence last year in Philadelphia reminded everyone of the talent that made him a first-round pick. He followed that up with a strong showing for France in the Olympics, showcasing the physicality and poise that earned him the captain’s armband for Les Bleus.
But the fit in New York? It just hasn’t clicked.
Sometimes it’s about timing. Sometimes it’s about system.
And sometimes, a player just needs a new environment to get back to doing what he does best. For Yabusele, that opportunity might be coming sooner rather than later.
With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Knicks have decisions to make - and Yabusele’s situation is one of the more intriguing ones to watch. Whether it’s a move that benefits both sides or a fresh start elsewhere, it feels like change is in the air.
And for a player still in his prime, with plenty to offer, the next chapter could be the one that finally gets him back on track.