Philadelphia 76ers Considering Signing Olympic Silver Medalist Guerschon Yabusele

The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly engaged in serious negotiations to bring French power forward Guerschon Yabusele to their roster, according to league sources. The team's interest in the talented athlete stems from his impressive performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he represented his homeland and averaged an impressive 14 points per game.

Currently, Yabusele is in the process of resolving his contract buyout with Real Madrid, his current team. The 76ers would be required to pay a maximum of $850,000 as per league rules towards the buyout, while the remaining amount of approximately $1.6 million would be settled between Yabusele and Real Madrid.

Having previously played for the Boston Celtics from 2017 to 2019, Yabusele has openly expressed his desire to return to the NBA. His latest social media post on August 11 hinted at his eagerness for a second chance. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing around 275 pounds, Yabusele would fill a significant need for the Sixers as a stretch 4, providing much-needed depth in the power forward position.

Signing Yabusele would not only address a crucial void in the Sixers' roster but would also secure their 14th and final roster spot, meeting the league's minimum requirements. The 28-year-old player has shown considerable improvement since his previous NBA stint, particularly evident during his remarkable performance at the Olympics.

With a shooting percentage of 44.5% from beyond the arc for Real Madrid last season, Yabusele has proven to be a reliable floor spacer. Additionally, his improved physical conditioning makes him a formidable force in the paint, capable of handling switches and contributing defensively. However, there's still room for growth in terms of his overall defensive awareness.

As the negotiations continue, the tricky aspect of the deal lies in the financial limitations that the 76ers face. With only a minimum salary to offer, the team can only pay a maximum of $850,000 towards Yabusele's buyout, leaving the remainder to be addressed either through cap space or exception funds, of which the team currently has none. It is possible that both parties could explore options to reduce the figure, taking into account Yabusele's desire to return to the league.

If a deal is reached, Yabusele would not only secure a spot on the Sixers' roster for the upcoming season but could potentially sign a two-year contract, with the second year offering a salary of $2.4 million.

The addition of Guerschon Yabusele could provide the Philadelphia 76ers with the much-needed power forward presence they are currently lacking. As negotiations continue, fans eagerly await news of whether the French standout will join the team and contribute to their aspirations for success in the upcoming season.