By Shams Charania, John Hollinger and Tess DeMeyer
The Philadelphia 76ers are in severe talks with French energy ahead Guerschon Yabusele, based on league sources. The 76ers are enthusiastic about signing the Olympic silver medalist after he averaged 14 factors whereas representing his residence nation on the 2024 Video games in Paris.
GUERSCHON YABUSELE ON LEBRON JAMES. 😳
📺 NBC and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/cjrH6Q9Epd
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Yabusele is resolving his $2.5 million contract buyout with Actual Madrid as he nears a return to the NBA. To resolve his buyout with Actual Madrid, Philadelphia would pay a most of $850,000, per league guidelines. The remainder of the quantity, roughly $1.6 million, can be resolved by Yabusele and Actual Madrid.
The 28-year-old performed for the Boston Celtics from 2017-19 after the group chosen him with the sixteenth decide of the 2016 NBA Draft. Yabusele hasn’t been coy about eager to return to the league, sharing a publish to X on Aug. 11 that stated “Been ready for a 2nd likelihood.. I’m prepared.”
Excellent match for Philadelphia
Yabusele, who’s 6-foot-8 and 275-ish kilos, matches an apparent want for the Sixers as a stretch 4 on a roster that has no true energy forwards in the meanwhile. He additionally fills Philadelphia’s 14th roster spot, taking the group to the minimal quantity required.
The previous Celtic has proven appreciable enchancment since his final tour within the NBA in 2019, culminating in a formidable Olympics match for his native France. He hit 44.5 p.c of his 3s for Actual Madrid final season and has improved his conditioning significantly; though he nonetheless struggles at occasions together with his total defensive consciousness.
Yabusele additionally has the scale to hammer switches within the paint, though on this roster he in all probability profiles extra as a pure flooring spacer. — John Hollinger, NBA senior author
How will the buyout work?
The difficult half is the Sixers solely have a minimal wage to supply, and Yabusele has a $2.5 million buyout with Madrid. Philadelphia can solely pay $850,000 of it, as a result of the remainder must come out of cap area or exception cash and it doesn’t have any.
Nonetheless, it’s potential the 2 sides negotiate the quantity all the way down to make it extra manageable. In any other case, Yabusele can be owing $1.65 million whereas solely making $2.1 million this coming season. A minimal deal for Yabusele might additionally embrace a second season that may pay $2.4 million. — Hollinger
Required studying
(Photograph: ARIS MESSINIS / AFP through Getty Pictures)
