NBA – Brutal decision looming for Guerschon Yabusele in Philadelphia?

Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport

The upcoming season is shaping up to be a crucial one for the Philadelphia 76ers as they aim to maximize their championship hopes around the trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. After a 2024–25 campaign marred by overlapping injuries, the franchise is hoping to rediscover chemistry and consistency. But financially, the roster management is expected to be a tightrope walk.

One key question revolves around Guerschon Yabusele’s future. The strong French forward, who joined the Sixers last summer on a minimum contract, impressed as a solid rotation player. However, the team’s cap constraints and free agency priorities put his re-signing in doubt — especially with a competitive market looming.

Marc Stein : “The Sixers expect to operate near (or maybe even above) the second apron for this upcoming campaign, sources say, as they prepare to give Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey another shot to try to contend for a championship after they managed to appear in just 15 games (7-8) together this season.”

Yabusele’s fate already sealed?

“With a trio of Sixers veterans — Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon — all expected to soon activate the player options in their respective contracts for next season, it looks as though it will be increasingly challenging for Philadelphia to re-sign beloved big man Guerschon Yabusele. The former first-round pick from France, who played last season on a minimum deal, is projected to have a strong market in free agency.””

Yabusele has expressed his fondness for the Philadelphia environment and hasn’t closed the door on staying. But given the financial pressures and fierce market competition, he appears open to taking the next step elsewhere. His athleticism and two-way impact make him an attractive option for teams seeking energy and frontcourt depth.

Parting ways with Yabusele would mark a turning point in his NBA journey, possibly giving him the opportunity for a larger role on a new team. For the Sixers, the 2025–26 season is a race against time — balancing star power with payroll management. Yabusele’s situation will be one to watch closely in the coming weeks.

After a strong season, the French big man is poised to secure a deal more lucrative than his rookie-scale minimum. His potential departure could also free up space for Philly to maneuver financially. Either way, Yabusele remains a promising and reliable asset on the 2025 NBA free agent market.