Knicks Feeling the Sting of Guerschon Yabusele Signing as Trade Deadline Looms
The New York Knicks have made real noise in the Eastern Conference this season, but not every move from their front office has hit the mark. One decision that's starting to look like a misstep? The two-year, $10.7 million deal handed to forward Guerschon Yabusele this past summer.
At the time, the Knicks believed they were getting value - a versatile forward with international experience and the kind of physical profile that could help bolster their depth. But just a few months into the season, that optimism has faded. Yabusele has struggled to crack the rotation, and according to reports, the Knicks are now actively exploring ways to move on from him - even if it means attaching assets to make it happen.
A Deal That Doesn’t Fit the Plan
The Knicks came into the offseason with a clear strategy: preserve cap flexibility and load up on short-term, low-risk contracts. Most of their free-agent additions were on one-year minimum deals, giving them the ability to pivot quickly if needed. Yabusele’s guaranteed money for next season breaks from that mold - and with him not seeing regular minutes under head coach Mike Brown, that salary is quickly becoming dead weight.
The issue isn’t just about one underperforming player. New York currently holds the fifth-largest payroll in the league, and every dollar matters - especially with the team eyeing bigger moves down the line. Carrying a guaranteed contract for a player who’s not in the rotation creates financial friction at a time when the Knicks are trying to maintain flexibility for a potential blockbuster.
Trade Talks Heating Up
That’s why Yabusele’s name is starting to surface in trade chatter. The Knicks aren’t just looking to move him - they’re reportedly willing to sweeten the deal to make it happen. That could mean attaching a pick or folding his contract into a larger trade package.
And that’s where things get interesting.
There’s been buzz around the Knicks potentially going big-game hunting - looking to swing a trade for a true superstar. Names like Giannis Antetokounmpo have been floated in league circles, and while that’s still a long shot, the idea isn’t completely outlandish.
If the Knicks were to make a serious push, they’d likely have to include key pieces like OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, plus a haul of draft capital. Yabusele’s contract could be used as filler in that kind of deal - a way to kill two birds with one stone by offloading a non-contributor while chasing a franchise-altering talent.
Looking Ahead
For now, Yabusele remains on the roster, but it’s clear the Knicks are motivated to find a resolution. His lack of conditioning and absence from the rotation have raised internal concerns, and with the trade deadline approaching, New York has every reason to be aggressive.
The team has built a strong foundation around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Eastern Conference is wide open. If the Knicks can clear out dead salary and land another high-impact player, they’d instantly vault into serious contention.
But to get there, they’ll need to clean up some of the missteps from the summer - and moving on from Yabusele looks like step one.