A surprise free agent signing is the perfect addition to a reloaded Sixers roster
By Cal Durrett
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2024 NBA offseason with major cap space and only three players under contract. After a terrific summer that included them signing nine-time All-Star Paul George, they have rounded out their roster by adding a sought-after free agent.
Forward Guerschon Yabusele had a strong showing this summer playing for the French national team in the Olympics. That attracted interest from NBA teams hoping to add an experienced player on the cheap.
However, it seemed as though his contract with Real Madrid would prevent him from returning to the NBA next season. Fortunately for him and the Sixers, his contract issues were resolved and he will now sign with Philadelphia.
Free agent F Guerschon Yabusele has agreed on a one-year, $2.1 million minimum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Yabusele is rejoining the NBA’s Eastern Conference after leaving the Boston Celtics for Real Madrid in 2019. pic.twitter.com/imZ6yfYYMe
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 18, 2024
Can Guerschon Yabusele help the Philadelphia 76ers next season?
Considering that he will sign for the league minimum, that is a value signing. Yabusele isn't an unproven player since he was initially drafted by the Boston Celtics and played a couple of years in the NBA before carving out a successful career playing internationally. Now he will return to the NBA and give the Sixers much-needed depth at power forward.
Yabusele is a low-risk flier for a Sixers team that needed another body at the 4 behind Caleb Martin. He’s improved his shot from the closer international 3-point line; his success in the NBA will come down to whether or not that translates back to the deeper one, too. https://t.co/Hc8XVRlJTI
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) August 18, 2024
At 6'8 and weighing 271 lbs, he has enough size to play power forward and his high energy level will be perfect in short bursts for Philadelphia. Caleb Martin is expected to start at the four for the Sixers next season, with Kenyon Martin Jr. possibly backing him up, making Yabusele the third-string power forward at the moment.
However, Martin has a history of injuries and the Sixers could use Martin Jr.'s contract to upgrade their roster later on so Yabusele may have a chance to earn a rotation spot next season.
Overall, the Sixers signing a potential rotation player for just $2.1 million is a steal for Philly and caps a terrific off-season. Whether those moves get the Sixers to the Conference Finals for the first time in the Joel Embiid era remains to be seen, but they are certainly talented enough to get there now.
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