Sixers Sign French Olympic Star

Guerschon Yabusele shined at the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping France win a silver medal after losing to the United States on August 10.

He played six games, averaging 14 points and 3.3 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 52%.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Yabusele is returning to the NBA for the first time since 2019, joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran minimum deal.

Yabusele’s New Deal:

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. https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1825208801340928009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In Marc Stein’s “The SteinLine” newsletter, it was revealed that Yabusele’s contract with Real Madrid had a $2.5M buyout clause . Both parties negotiated his exit and settled on paying off $1.6M of it. Shams Charania from The Athletic mentioned that due to NBA rules, the Sixers could only offer up to $850K in compensation.

Fans might think this move will boost the Sixers’ chances next season.

The Sixers needed more depth at forward positions, and Yabusele’s experience in Europe and previous NBA stint should help Nick Nurse’s team significantly. He will likely be a backup for Paul George.

Despite struggling from beyond the arc during the Olympics, he proved himself as an effective spot-up shooter in Europe last season—averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game in EuroLeague while shooting an impressive 48.1% from three-point range .

Adding him seems like another smart move by Daryl Morey during what many consider one of their best offseasons ever!

What do you think about this addition?