Coming off a very successful return season to the NBA, the 29-year-old Yabusele looks to have suitors in free agency.
A riveting NBA Finals is now behind us and the 2025 NBA draft is only days, but let’s not forget that the start of NBA free agency is just a week away on June 30, the date when teams can begin negotating and agreeing to terms with free agents from outside their own roster. After restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, the player Philadelphia 76ers fans are probably most interested in knowing whether the team will retain is Guerschon Yabusele.
Following a half decade playing back overseas, the Sixers signed Yabusele on a one-year, minimum deal last August. The 29-year-old forward exceeded all reasonable expectations, averaging 27.1 minutes across 70 games, with per-game averages of 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 38.0 percent from three. He played both the four and five positions for Philadelphia, bringing an upbeat energy and doing the little things on both ends of the court that contribute to winning basketball.
Naturally, other teams are now interested in bringing Yabu aboard and he’s sure to field plenty of calls as an unrestricted free agent. The latest update comes from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:
“The San Antonio Spurs are among several teams expected to have interest in Yabusele during free agency, league sources told HoopsHype.
Yabusele played on the French National Team that won a silver medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
The Philadelphia 76ers, of course, also have interest in re-signing their forward, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Unfortunately for those hoping for a Sixers reunion, San Antonio makes a ton of sense as a Yabusele landing spot. Scotto mentions the Wembanyama connection, while Spurs legend Tony Parker is probably singing the praises of the Alamo City to Guerschon. In addition to crossing paths in national team circles, Parker owns LDLC ASVEL in France, where Yabusele played two seasons. Last year’s trade for De’Aaron Fox shows the organization wants to build a competitive roster around Wembanyama sooner rather than later, and the roster will see another huge talent infusion with the second overall pick, expected to be Dylan Harper.
Of course, the Sixers want to bring back Yabusele, and he has said all the right things about enjoying his time spent in Philadelphia. However, given the team’s cap situation, they’ll likely only be able to offer at most the Taxpayer’s Mid-Level Exception, projected to be set at $5.7 million. If a team like the Spurs is able to beat that offer while still offering playing time on a competitive roster, the Sixers may lose out on a key rotational piece. We’ll await further reports as the dawn of free agency draws closer.