The New York Knicks are hitting their stride-and doing it with authority.
With Jalen Brunson steering the ship, the Knicks have rattled off nine wins in their last ten games and are now headed to the NBA Cup championship game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. It’s been a surge of momentum at the perfect time, with the team playing some of its most cohesive basketball of the season.
But even during a hot stretch like this, not every piece is fitting as expected.
Guerschon Yabusele, the Knicks’ high-profile offseason addition, is still trying to find his place in the rotation. The power forward signed a two-year, $12 million deal this summer, returning to the NBA after five years overseas.
On paper, he brought size, toughness, and versatility. In practice, though, his role has been limited-and the frustration is starting to show.
Yabusele is averaging just 9.8 minutes per game, chipping in three points and 2.2 rebounds. Those aren’t the kind of numbers you’d expect from a player who was billed as the team’s biggest offseason acquisition.
And it’s not just the stat line-he’s only logged 15 minutes in a game twice all season. For a player trying to re-establish himself in the league, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
He’s voiced his frustration with the lack of opportunity, and it’s easy to understand why. Yabusele came back to the NBA with momentum after a solid stint overseas and a brief return with the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Now, he’s watching from the bench as the Knicks roll, and that’s a tough spot for any competitor.
The Knicks, for their part, aren’t suffering in the standings. The team’s chemistry is strong, the rotation is clicking, and Brunson is playing like an All-Star. But that also means there’s limited room for experimentation or extended auditions-especially for a player still trying to carve out a role.
There’s a growing sense that a split might be on the horizon. If Yabusele’s role doesn’t expand soon, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Knicks explore trade options. A move could be mutually beneficial: Yabusele gets a fresh start, and the Knicks potentially add a guard to bolster their backcourt depth.
It’s a familiar scenario in the modern NBA. Teams make offseason bets, and sometimes they just don’t pan out the way everyone hoped.
The comparison has been made to Grant Williams’ stint with Dallas two seasons ago-a promising signing that ended with a midseason trade. Williams was logging over 26 minutes per game before being dealt to Charlotte, but even consistent playing time wasn’t enough to keep him in the Mavericks’ long-term plans.
Yabusele’s situation is different in scale but similar in narrative. He’s not hurting the team, but he’s not moving the needle either. And in a league where every roster spot matters-especially for a contender-front offices have to stay nimble.
For now, the Knicks are focused on Tuesday’s NBA Cup final. They’ve got momentum, a clear identity, and a chance to bring home hardware.
But behind the scenes, decisions are looming. Yabusele’s future in New York might hinge on what happens over the next few weeks-on the court and in the front office.
Stay tuned.