Guerschon Yabusele is garnering trade interest in his second stint in the NBA.
The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Keith Pompey named Yabusele as the Philadelphia 76ers’ “most enticing trade target for opposing teams” ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
Pompey named the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets as teams interested in acquiring the former 2016 first-round pick.
Yabusele began his NBA career by playing two seasons with the Boston Celtics before the team waived him in the summer of 2019.
He spent several years playing professionally in China, France and Spain before the Sixers brought Yabusele back to the NBA on a one-year veteran minimum contract.
Having played his way into a starting role while averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Yabusele has likely out-earned his $2 million salary this season.
The Sixers likely aren’t in a position to give him a raise next season after committing to pay more than $135 million to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in 2025-26.
Deciding whether to take advantage of the jump in Yabusele’s value to trade him this winter could hinge on if the Sixers see themselves as a postseason contender.
Heading into Sunday with a 19-28 record, the Sixers one game back from the Chicago Bulls for the last play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
If the Sixers decide to push for the play-in round, keeping Yabusele, who played well during a recent four-game winning streak that lifted Philadelphia closer to the playoff picture, could be key to the team’s postseason hopes.
If Philadelphia decides to sell at the deadline, however, the team could be better served by taking advantage of Yabusele’s value to a win-now team by picking up draft assets.
SNY’s Ian Begley previously reported that the Knicks had checked in with the Sixers regarding Yabusele, and that his .400 shooting on 3.9 attempted 3-pointers per game could “benefit a Knick team that wants to keep the floor spread on offense.”
The Nuggets have been in need of frontcourt depth throughout the 2024-25 season. Denver’s bench has contributed 10.2 points per game, good for 27th in the NBA, through 49 games this season. Adding Yabusele as a depth option behind Nikola Jokić could help this team gear up for a playoff run.
The Celtics added to their frontcourt depth ahead of the 2024 trade deadline by adding Xavier Tillman Sr., but Tillman’s playing time has dropped to an average of just seven minutes through 26 games so far this season. Replacing him with Yabusele could be a bench upgrade for the defending champions.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a hot topic of discussion in recent days as rumors swirl around potential trades involving forward Guerschon Yabusele. Several teams, including the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets, are reportedly interested in acquiring the talented young player.
Yabusele, a former first-round draft pick, has shown flashes of potential during his time with the 76ers, but has struggled to find consistent playing time on a deep roster. With the trade deadline approaching, Philadelphia may be looking to move Yabusele in exchange for assets that can help bolster their playoff push.
The Knicks, Celtics, and Nuggets are all in need of frontcourt depth and could benefit from adding a player like Yabusele to their roster. While no trade has been finalized yet, discussions are said to be ongoing and a deal could materialize in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 76ers trade rumors involving Guerschon Yabusele, as news, scores, highlights, stats, and rumors continue to develop.
Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings: Tyrese Maxey – 11 Jared McCain – 8 Joel Embiid – 7 Paul George – 7 Guerschon Yabusele – 4 Kelly Oubre Jr – 2 Ricky Council IV – 2 KJ Martin – 2 Justin Edwards – 2 Adem Bona – 1
The Sixers, riding the high of a four-game win streak, welcomed the team from the mile-high city to town for a Friday night tilt with Denver Nuggets and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
The Sixers were once again without the services of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Caleb Martin, Jared McCain, KJ Martin and Andre Drummond. The Nuggets were looking to get back in the win column after their first three-game losing skid of the season.
The Sixers had a familiar face ring the bell for tonight’s game.
The first quarter of this one was a thrilling back and forth affair. The Nuggets got out to an early eight-point lead, but the Sixers quickly surged back to take the lead behind a 13-4 run courtesy of five points apiece from Guerschon Yabusele and Tyrese Maxey that was capped off by a Justin Edwards three. Maxey put in 13 first-quarter points to go along with eight from Yabusele to lead the Sixers. A buzzer-beater heave from Julian Strawther would give the Nuggets a 38-36 advantage after one despite the Sixers hitting 8-of-12 from beyond the three-point arc.
The second quarter was a lot of the same and would continue the high-octane contest. The Nuggets’ bench would continue to be a thorn in the Sixers’ side as Christian Braun and Julian Strawther would combine for 23 first-half points. Nikola Jokic did Nikola Jokic things and would head to the half with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. The Sixers were able to stay attached throughout the second quarter due in large part to Yabusele who would add 10 more points to his first quarter total for a grand total of 18 at intermission. Kelly Oubre had a big quarter to go alongside Yabusele to carry the Sixers offense with 18 points of his own.
The undermanned Sixers, like they have often this season, struggled defensively to match up with the Nuggets personnel and surrendered 73 first half points. The Sixers trailed 73-69 at the half.
The offensive explosion continued in the third quarter. The Sixers were carried by 16 third-quarter points from Maxey who continued to wow with his elite shot-making and touch. Yabusele continued to cook in his matchup vs. Jokic as he put in another 10 points in the quarter to give him a total of 28 and a new career high. The Sixers struggled to contain Jamal Murray who began to heat up throughout the period to lead the Nuggets with 27 points after three. A Ricky Council IV buzzer-beater three over Jokic pulled the Sixers within three at the close of the quarter. The Sixers trailed 103-100.
Despite a herculean performance from Maxey and a career night from Yabusele the Sixers couldn’t get enough stops on Jokic down the stretch to pull out a victory. The Nuggets would snap their three-game losing streak with a 137-134 victory.
Time for the Bell Ringer.
Tyrese Maxey: 42 points, 9 assists, 15-of-26 from the field, 6-of-11 from three
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
In a month of monster performances from Maxey this one may have been his best. From start to finish Maxey was in attack mode. The early season shooting and finishing struggles are far in the rearview now for Maxey. Whether it was getting to his patented step back three, showcasing fantastic touch and skill in the midrange with short jumpers and floaters, or blowing by defenders in a blur to the rim for a high array of difficult finishes, Maxey seemingly got whatever he wanted.
Coming off being one of the most egregious All-Star snubs in recent memory Maxey continued to show regardless of what the fans, media, or coaches vote he is indeed an All-Star caliber player and one of the best scorers in this league. In a season that’s been filled with drama and adversity the Sixers’ 24-year-old guard continues to be a shining light and bring hope to a franchise that desperately needs it. Maxey would finish the game with 42 points — 12 of Maxey’s points came in the fourth quarter as himself and Jokic traded baskets down the stretch. The Sixers will surely regret Maxey not getting a touch on either of the team’s final two possessions.
Guerschon Yabusele: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 12-of-17 from the field, 4-of-7 from three
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Yabusele continues to show the Sixers that he is someone that they should not be looking to trade and rather somebody that they should be maneuvering in order to keep around long term. Yabusele, one of the best stories in all of basketball this year with his return to the NBA, poured in hyper-efficient career-high 28 points. Yabusele often defended by Nikola Jokic in this one made Jokic pay for his reluctance to leave the paint defensively and when he did Yabusele punished him with drives to the hoop for finishes at the rim. Yabusele, like he often has this season, got the Wells Fargo Center on its feet throughout with plays above the rim, throwing down thunderous dunks. Yabusele also continued to be the glue guy that he’s been all season by digging out loose balls, fighting on the offensive glass, playing with max effort defensively, and doing whatever it takes to try and help this Sixers team win.
Two great performances to pick from tonight. Let us know who you got.
Poll
Who was the Sixers’ Bell Ringer in Friday night’s loss to the Nuggets?
The Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling matchup last night, but ultimately fell short in a close game. Despite the loss, there were some standout performances from individual players on the Sixers’ side.
The Sixers’ bell ringer for the night was rookie guard Tyrese Maxey, who put on a virtuoso performance with a career-high 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Maxey showcased his scoring ability and playmaking skills, proving to be a bright spot for the team in the absence of key players.
Additionally, Guerschon Yabusele had a career night off the bench, contributing 20 points and 8 rebounds in a solid showing. Yabusele’s energy and scoring punch provided a much-needed spark for the Sixers, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win against a tough Nuggets team.
Despite the strong individual performances, the Sixers couldn’t overcome the Nuggets’ balanced attack and fell short in a closely contested game. However, the resilience and effort shown by Maxey, Yabusele, and the rest of the team is a positive sign moving forward.
The Sixers will look to bounce back from this loss and continue to build chemistry and cohesion as they push towards the playoffs. With players like Maxey and Yabusele stepping up in key moments, the future looks bright for Philadelphia as they aim to make a deep postseason run.
Jan 22, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dunks during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
At the start of the 15th week of the fantasy basketball season, let’s look at the top-dropped players.
These players were all taken from the most dropped waiver trends section, which can be found on any FantasySP fantasy basketball page.
Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant. Use our fantasy basketball trade analyzer and the Trade Value Chart to break down trade scenarios.
Fantasy Outlook
Kennard is down 7%, bringing his total mark to 37%. His own percentage ebbs and flows depending on how he’s scoring, and after a poor shooting performance over the weekend, Kennard is down several percent.
Kennard was 1-of-7 shooting in his last game. In 21 minutes, he had four points, three assists and one rebound, steal and block.
In the two games before that, Kennard combined for 50 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three steals – he played 26 minutes off the bench in one game and started and tallied 27 minutes in the other game.
Kennard is simply a streaky shooter, and unless he’s shooting well, you can expect his own percentage to be falling rather than rising or remaining steady. It’s hard to predict what kind of performance he might have, and fantasy owners often prefer to look elsewhere for fantasy help after he delivers a down showing.
For the season, Kennard is averaging 9.8 points, 3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks across 21.7 minutes in 33 games and two starts. He’s shooting 47.8% overall and is 48.7% from behind the 3-point line.
He’s scored over 10 points in 18 contests, with two games over 20 points. Kennard also has nine games under five points scored, so some of his down games are really rough ones.
Kennard needs to be rostered in a decent amount of deeper leagues still, but there’s better options out there for those of you playing in slightly deeper than standard leagues. He can be streamed in most deeper leagues when he’s hot from the floor.
You can try to play matchups, but really, the best course of action with Kennard is to add him after a big scoring performance, as another couple are probably to follow.
Fantasy Outlook
Anthony has been dropped in 6.5% of leagues and is now rostered in 31% of leagues. He saw his role diminished in his last contest, so you can understand why fantasy owners want to move off him.
After starting or playing at least 26 minutes in nine straight games, Anthony came off the bench and played just 19 minutes in the team’s past game. He missed the two games before that.
For the season, Anthony is averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks across 16.3 minutes in 42 games and eight starts. Those numbers aren’t special, and he boosted them while starting and getting more minutes of late.
Orlando got a bit healthier in the past week, and it seems to have knocked Anthony back into his reserve role. He’s still contributing enough at his season averages to own and start in some deeper leagues, but he probably should be owned in less leagues than his current own percentage.
I’d keep Anthony on your watch list in case his role changes again, or if the Magic shakeup their roster and it gets Anthony into a better role. Right now though, I think Anthony’s own percentage should continue to fall, and think he should only be rostered in around 20% of leagues, at most.
Fantasy Outlook
Yabusele is down 6.1% and sitting at 43% overall. He continues to play a big enough role because of so many injuries in Philadelphia, but some poor performances of late has him being dropped.
Over the past four games, Yabusele has scored in single figures twice. He was 3-of-10 shooting in his last game, but still had six rebounds and four rebounds to be a decent fantasy asset.
Until the Sixers get healthy, which honestly I don’t think happens consistently all season, Yabusele is worth rostering and playing in a good amount of deeper leagues. He averages 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks across 26.1 minutes in 42 games and 20 starts this season. That’s enough production to utilize him in a few leagues.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Sixers looked to sell high on Yabusele. He hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2018-19 season, but a contending team in need of another big man could definitely be intrigued by Yabusele. His role might diminish a bit on a new team, but a better team around him might also help him be more efficient and a pretty solid fantasy player still.
I’d drop him in standard leagues and any deeper leagues that are only slightly deeper than standard ones. He still has enough value to roster in 40% of leagues or so, as long as his numbers don’t fall off consistently.
Fantasy Outlook
Jerome was dropped in 5.3% of leagues and now has an own mark of 30%. He’s had a wild couple of box scores of late, but a bad showing in his last game has fantasy owners ready to move on.
Jerome had just six points, four rebounds and three assists across 18 minutes in the team’s most recent game. He shot 1-of-8 in that game. Jerome was 11-of-14 shooting the night before, tallying 33 points, three rebounds and assists and two steals.
Jerome isn’t going to score 30 points a night, but he’s averaging 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals across 8.3 minutes in 42 games and two starts this season. The scoring and other few averages he owns are solid enough to roster him in a decent amount of deeper leagues. You could also stream Jerome when a couple regular Cavalier contributors are out for a game.
His own percentage should hover around that 30% most of the season, probably not dipping below 25% or going over 40% ever. Jerome is a player to keep tabs on in case a big-time Cleveland player were ever to go down.
Jan 25, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) and Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Fantasy Outlook
Pippen is down 5% and sits at 33% overall now. He’s struggled to score of late, and that’s probably the biggest reason behind him being dropped.
Pippen scored 13 points on January 24, but is averaging 4.9 points over the past nine games. In 16.6 minutes over that stretch, Pippen owns other averages of 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals.
His averages in rebounds, assists and steals aren’t too shabby, but if he can’t even average five points a game, there’s no point in rostering Pippen outside really deep leagues and dynasties. There has to be some better options out there on the waiver wire.
His season averages of 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks across 21.6 minutes in 46 games and 16 starts are much more respectable. I’d put Pippen on my watch list if you decide to drop him, or he gets dropped in your league.
He might heat up again later in the season, at which point he could be worth adding and playing for several weeks at a time. Right now though, there’s not many leagues I’d want to start Pippen in – if you aren’t ready to drop him, don’t be afraid to just bench him for a while.
Luke Kennard, Cole Anthony, Guerschon Yabusele, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr.: Rising Stars in the NBA
In the fast-paced world of the NBA, young talent is constantly emerging and making a name for themselves. Luke Kennard, Cole Anthony, Guerschon Yabusele, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are five rising stars who have been turning heads with their impressive performances on the court.
Luke Kennard, a sharpshooting guard for the LA Clippers, has been showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking skills, quickly becoming a key player for his team. Cole Anthony, a dynamic point guard for the Orlando Magic, has been making waves with his electrifying style of play and clutch performances.
Guerschon Yabusele, a versatile forward for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association, has been dominating the competition with his athleticism and scoring ability. Ty Jerome, a young guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been impressing fans and teammates alike with his basketball IQ and defensive prowess.
Lastly, Scotty Pippen Jr., the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, has been making a name for himself at Vanderbilt University with his scoring prowess and leadership on the court.
These five young players are just a few examples of the bright future of the NBA, and fans can expect to see them continue to shine as they carve out their own legacies in the league. Keep an eye out for Luke Kennard, Cole Anthony, Guerschon Yabusele, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. as they continue to make their mark on the basketball world.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 03: Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays … [+] against the Charlotte Hornets in the game during the Emirates NBA Cup at Spectrum Center on December 03, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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Not much has gone right for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. Star center Joel Embiid has played only 13 games because of knee, ankle and face injuries. Prized free-agent pickup Paul George has missed 14 games and has largely underwhelmed when he’s on the court. Even star point guard Tyrese Maxey has backslid in terms of his shooting efficiency.
Rookie guard Jared McCain was an early bright spot for the Sixers, but he tore his meniscus in mid-December and is out for the rest of the season. Guerschon Yabusele, whom the Sixers signed to a one-year, minimum-salary contract after a standout showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been the other.
The Boston Celtics originally selected Yabusele with the No. 16 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He played sparingly for two seasons before falling out of the league entirely. After a few years abroad, he earned another shot at the NBA with his play at the Olympics, and he’s showing that he deserves to stick around this time.
Yabusele is averaging a career-high 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in only 25.8 minutes per game for the Sixers this season. He’s shooting a career-high 51.2% overall and 40.9% from three-point range, the latter of which is the best mark on the team.
If the Sixers were more competitive this season, Yabusele would have been an invaluable find for them. Landing a rotation player on a minimum contract is a godsend for teams like the Sixers with three max contracts on their books. Instead, he’s toiling away on a team whose title hopes are fading into nothingness.
That’s why the Sixers should consider moving him by the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
Why To Trade Yabusele
Since the Sixers signed Yabusele to a one-year deal, they’ll only have non-Bird rights on him this coming offseason. They can use those to re-sign him even though they’re already over the salary cap, but they can only offer him 120% of a minimum contract as the starting salary of a new deal.
A minimum salary for someone with three years of NBA experience projects to be roughly $2.4 million next season. That means the Sixers could offer Yabusele a starting salary of roughly $2.85 million, but they couldn’t give him more than a four-year, $12.4 million deal via their non-Bird rights.
If Yabusele was amenable to taking another near-minimum salary, he’d likely sign a two-year deal with a second-year player option. If he declined the player option in 2026, the Sixers would have Early Bird rights on him by then, which would allow them to offer him upward of $60 million.
Depending on what else the Sixers do at the trade deadline and this offseason, they could have access to the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception. If Yabusele gets above-minimum offers from other teams this offseason, using the taxpayer MLE might be the Sixers’ best hope to retain him.
Few teams project to have meaningful cap space this summer, which could make the Sixers optimistic about their chances of retaining Yabusele. Then again, if any team throws him a hefty offer, they could be left empty-handed. They have to weigh the likelihood of retaining him this offseason versus the upside of what they can get for him by the trade deadline.
Unless they believe that they could retain Yabusele via non-Bird rights, that shouldn’t be a particularly difficult decision. There would be nothing stopping the Sixers from trading him ahead of the deadline and then attempting to sign him with their taxpayer MLE this offseason. In fact, that might be the best of both worlds—they’d be able to acquire assets for him now and then reunite this offseason using the salary-cap exception that they might have to spend on him anyway.
What Could They Get?
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement has made it more difficult for teams with expensive rosters to swing trades. Teams above the first apron were previously allowed to take back 125% of the salary they sent out in a trade, but now they can’t take back any more salary via a standard trade exception than they send out.
There’s one exception to that rule, though—one that could make Yabusele even more desirable on the trade market. That restriction does not apply to players on minimum contracts. As long as they aren’t hard-capped, teams over the first or second apron could acquire Yabusele without sending out an equivalent amount of salary to the Sixers.
The Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, both of whom are less than $1 million below the first apron and are hard-capped, still couldn’t acquire Yabusele without sending salary out. The same goes for the New York Knicks, who are hard-capped at the second apron and only $535,000 below that line. But the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks—all of whom are well above the second apron—would be allowed to acquire Yabusele via the minimum player salary exception.
Any team that acquires Yabusele at the trade deadline would inherit his non-Bird rights, so they’d face the same dilemma this offseason that the Sixers will if they keep him. That could make him less attractive to teams that are projected to be above the second apron next year, as they wouldn’t even have the taxpayer MLE to spend on him. Still, he should have a fairly robust market if the Sixers do shop him ahead of the trade deadline.
The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets fetched a net of two second-round picks for Dennis Schroder and Nick Richards, respectively, in recent weeks. Schroder is also on an expiring contract like Yabusele, although the Warriors will have Early Bird rights on him rather than non-Bird rights. Meanwhile, Richards is under contract through 2025-26.
In other words, the Sixers likely shouldn’t expect more than one second-round pick for Yabusele since it might be tough for his new team to retain him this offseason. Still, adding one second-round pick for a player who might leave for nothing would be good business amidst an otherwise lost season.
If the Sixers and Yabusele are mutually interested in continuing their partnership beyond this year, they don’t have to trade him. Re-signing him via non-Bird rights would be their best-case scenario this offseason, since they’d be hard-capped at the second apron if they spend the taxpayer MLE on him or anyone else.
But if the Sixers aren’t confident in their ability to retain Yabusele via non-Bird rights, they should explore his market in the next two weeks. Getting something of value for a flight risk would beat being left empty-handed this offseason.
The Sixers Should Move Guerschon Yabusele By NBA Trade Deadline
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a disappointing start to the season, and it may be time for them to shake things up before the NBA trade deadline. One player that they should consider moving is Guerschon Yabusele.
Yabusele, a 6’8″ power forward, has struggled to find minutes in the Sixers’ rotation this season. He’s averaging just 5.6 minutes per game and has yet to make much of an impact on the court. With the Sixers in need of more consistent production from their frontcourt, it may be best for them to move on from Yabusele and try to bring in a player who can contribute more immediately.
Additionally, moving Yabusele could free up a roster spot for the Sixers to potentially bring in another player who could help them down the stretch. Whether it’s adding depth at the forward position or addressing another area of need, the Sixers would be wise to consider trading Yabusele before the deadline.
Overall, while Yabusele may have potential, it seems clear that he is not the right fit for the Sixers at this time. Moving him by the trade deadline could help the team address their current deficiencies and potentially make a push for the playoffs.
Jan 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) looks to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
At the end of another fantasy basketball week, let’s go over some possible drop candidates.
These players were all taken from the most dropped waiver trends section, which can be found on any FantasySP fantasy basketball page. Here was the first drop story from the week.
Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant. Use our fantasy basketball trade analyzer and the Trade Value Chart to break down trade scenarios.
Fantasy Outlook
Williams was dropped in 4.7% of leagues, bringing his total mark down to 25%.
He’s coming off a four-point game, which is a pretty good guess as to why he’s being dropped in fantasy leagues. Williams had four rebounds and two steals in that game, and 21 minutes played.
In 29 games and 14 starts this season, Williams is averaging 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steal and 0.3 blocks across 22.6 minutes. Since returning from a lengthy absence, Williams is averaging 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks across 24.7 minutes across eight games and seven starts.
So while he’s coming off a tough fantasy performance, Williams’ numbers of late are actually better than his season averages. I think he’s doing enough to keep rostering him in the league he’s already owned in.
If Williams has a nice showing in his next game, his own percentage will rise again. Instead of adding and dropping players consistently, try to lock down some permanent fantasy building blocks. Based on his numbers of late, I’d keep holding Williams – if he continues to struggle, then you can drop him.
Fantasy Outlook
Boucher is down 4.1% and now rostered in just 23% of leagues.
Boucher is coming off a poor performance himself, so a lot of what I just wrote for Williams is probably going to apply here. They are even owned in a similar amount of leagues.
Boucher had five points and nine rebounds across 17 minutes in his last game – that’s not even bad fantasy production. For the season, he’s averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.6 steals and blocks across 17.6 minutes in 36 games played (all off the bench).
Even if you include a pair of single-digit scoring performances, Boucher is averaging 14 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.4 steals and blocks across 17.8 minutes over the past five games.
So I again think it’s premature to drop Boucher. He’s producing plenty of late, and will probably get scooped up if you let him go. The only way I’m dropping guys like Williams or Boucher is if there’s a can’t-miss player on the waiver wire, and those aren’t that common.
Just hold on to Boucher for a bit longer, because he could be a nice fantasy asset for those of you in deeper leagues.
Fantasy Outlook
Yabusele was dropped in 4% of leagues and sits at 35% overall now.
Yabusele has played a bigger role than expected this season as the 76ers deal with a number of injuries. He’s averaging 34.9 minutes over the past six games, just to give an example.
For the season, Yabusele has averaged 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks across 25.8 minutes in 39 games played and 18 starts.
While he’s failed to score in double figures five times over the past 13 games, and in three of the past four, Yabusele is also averaging 12 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks across 30.7 minutes in those 13 games.
He’s not a very consistent fantasy performer, but he’s doing enough most nights to be a fantasy asset to those of you in deeper leagues. I understand and don’t mind fantasy owners dropping him after some lower-scoring games, but I wouldn’t think his own percentage should fall too much more.
He’s still playing a bunch of minutes, and until the Sixers are healthier consistently, Yabusele should retain his big role. If Yabusele doesn’t make sense to roster in a deeper league right now, at least throw him on your watch list in case he heats up as a scorer again.
I think Yabusele will remain pretty involved all season, and there’s always the chance a trade, with him or one of his teammates, opens up more opportunities at some point. Don’t write Yabusele off after just a few lower-scoring games.
Fantasy Outlook
Capela saw his own percentage fall 3.4%, making his total 78%.
Capela is an interesting fantasy asset. He averages 9.5 points, 9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 1 block, but also only plays 22.8 minutes a game. Capela has been durable, starting all 40 of the team’s games so far. He also shoots a high percentage (57.2% overall).
On points and rebounds alone, Capela is a pretty solid fantasy asset. Sure, we’d love for him to play more minutes, but as is, Capela is scoring a healthy amount of fantasy points every night.
I’m a bit surprised to see his own percentage falling, because his production has been better of late. Capela is averaging 10.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.8 blocks across 23 minutes in the past four games.
Maybe he’s just being dropped with so many good waiver wire options appearing over the past week. Whatever the case, I expect Capela’s own percentage to hover between 75-85% most of the season.
He’s a nice fill-in option if one of your big men goes down with a multi-week injury. Capela also is a pretty solid option in category-based leagues because of his rebounding numbers.
Capela’s fantasy ceiling is probably pretty close to his season averages. Sure, there will be nights where he outperforms the averages by a good bit, but with just two games over 20 points and with 15 or more rebounds on the season, he’s more a consistent player than a streaky one.
Assess your fantasy team thoroughly and then determine whether Capela would help your team out in the long run.
Jan 14, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) is defended by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Fantasy Outlook
Krejci was let go in 3.3% of leagues and now is rostered in 13% overall.
Krejci is another case in which I do not understand why fantasy owners are dropping him. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games, and also has 15 rebounds, 18 assists, four steals and two blocks combined in those contests.
On the season, Krejci is averaging 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks across 17.4 minutes in 25 games and eight starts. Atlanta has been missing some key rotation players of late, but until those players actually get back in the lineup, Krejci is worth rostering in quite a few deeper leagues.
Also, with the way he’s been playing of late, there’s a chance Krejci sticks in the rotation even when the team is at full health. If Krejci goes back to a reserve role and is producing closer to his season averages, then he can be dropped, but until that actually happens, I’d just ride the hot streak he is on.
Ziaire Williams, Chris Boucher, Guerschon Yabusele, Clint Capela and Vit Krejci: Rising Stars in the NBA
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, young talent is constantly emerging and making a name for themselves. Ziaire Williams, Chris Boucher, Guerschon Yabusele, Clint Capela, and Vit Krejci are just a few of the rising stars in the league who are turning heads with their skills and potential.
Ziaire Williams, a rookie forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, has shown flashes of his potential as a versatile scorer and defender. With his athleticism and length, Williams has the tools to become a key player for the Grizzlies in the years to come.
Chris Boucher, a forward/center for the Toronto Raptors, has also been making waves with his shot-blocking ability and improving offensive game. Boucher’s energy and hustle on both ends of the court have endeared him to Raptors fans and earned him a spot in the team’s rotation.
Guerschon Yabusele, a former first-round pick who now plays for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association, has shown glimpses of his potential as a stretch big man with the ability to score inside and out. Yabusele’s combination of size and skill make him a unique player with a bright future in the league.
Clint Capela, a Swiss center for the Atlanta Hawks, has established himself as one of the premier rim protectors and rebounders in the NBA. Capela’s elite defensive presence and ability to finish around the rim have been instrumental in the Hawks’ success this season.
Vit Krejci, a rookie guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has impressed with his shooting touch and playmaking ability. Krejci’s basketball IQ and poise on the court bode well for his future in the league as he continues to develop his skills.
These five young players represent the next generation of talent in the NBA and are poised to make a significant impact in the years to come. Keep an eye on Ziaire Williams, Chris Boucher, Guerschon Yabusele, Clint Capela, and Vit Krejci as they continue to grow and develop their games at the highest level of basketball.
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INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele will miss the 76ers’ matchup at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night, after both players entered the game listed as questionable with left groin tightness and right knee swelling, respectively.
Center Andre Drummond, however, is available for the Sixers, after missing 10 of the past 12 games with a sprained left toe. His return is beneficial to a Sixers team that will be without Joel Embiid on this road three-game trip after his surgically repaired left knee swelled up following a workout earlier this week.
Starting forward Caleb Martin (hip), reserve point guard Kyle Lowry (hip), and wing KJ Martin (foot) also remain out for the Sixers.
George has had an inconsistent first season with the Sixers, averaging 17.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 27 games entering Saturday. But he is shooting an uncharacteristic 42.3% from the floor, and 35.5% from three-point range. The 34-year-old George spent the first seven NBA seasons with the Pacers, morphing into an All-Star before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.
Yabusele was the only Sixers player to play in all 39 games entering Saturday. He was also a bright spot in a mostly disastrous season for the team, averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds and shooting 39.6% from three-point range, while playing center and power forward.
Following Saturday’s game at Indiana, the Sixers will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday (7 p.m., NBCSP) and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday (10 p.m., NBCSP).
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without two key players, Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele, for their upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. George, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, will sit out for precautionary reasons to ensure he is fully healthy for the playoffs. Yabusele, on the other hand, is nursing a sprained ankle and will also be sidelined for the game.
Despite the absences of George and Yabusele, the Sixers will look to rely on their depth and versatility to secure a victory against the Pacers. With players like Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Tyrese Maxey stepping up in their absence, Philadelphia remains a formidable team capable of competing at a high level.
Fans will surely miss seeing George and Yabusele on the court, but their health and well-being are the top priorities for the Sixers as they gear up for the postseason. The team will continue to monitor their progress and provide updates on their status as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
INDIANAPOLIS — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to take on the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night to begin a 3-game road trip, they will have to do so while being very short-handed.
Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry, KJ Martin, Caleb Martin, and Jared McCain are all on the sidelines for this one as they all deal with ailments that hold them out. McCain, of course, is out for the season while Embiid will be re-evaluated in a week as his left knee has swelled up again after a workout.
As for Paul George, he was questionable heading into this contest due to left groin tightness. Guerschon Yabusele–the only Sixer to appear in every game thus far–was also questionable due to right knee swelling.
The Sixers have now ruled both out for this contest against the Pacers.
The Sixers are currently on a 4-game losing skid and will lean on Tyrese Maxey to lead the way and put a halt to that slump.
Tip off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m. EST.
The Philadelphia 76ers have provided updates on the injury statuses of Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele ahead of their matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
Paul George, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable for the game against the Pacers. The Sixers will continue to monitor his progress and make a decision closer to game time.
Guerschon Yabusele, on the other hand, is listed as probable for the game after dealing with a knee injury. The Sixers are optimistic that he will be able to suit up and contribute against the Pacers.
Both players will be key pieces for the Sixers as they look to secure a win against a tough Pacers team. Stay tuned for further updates on their statuses as game time approaches.
Yabusele will come off the bench Thursday against Golden State, Sam DiGiovanni of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Yabusele will return to his usual role following the return of Joel Embiid from a night off. Yabusele has scored in double figures in each of his last four appearances off the bench, averaging 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals during this hot stretch.
Guerschon Yabusele, the power forward for the Boston Celtics, is making his return to the bench after missing several games due to injury. Yabusele has been a key player for the Celtics this season, providing valuable minutes off the bench with his scoring and rebounding abilities.
With Yabusele back in the lineup, the Celtics are hoping to bolster their frontcourt depth and continue their push for a playoff spot. Yabusele’s energy and hustle on the court have been sorely missed during his absence, and his return is sure to give the team a much-needed boost.
Fans are excited to see Yabusele back in action and are looking forward to seeing him contribute to the team’s success in the coming games. Welcome back, Guerschon! #CelticsNation #YabuIsBack
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For the second straight year, the Sixers’ final signing of the offseason was one of their best.
Last year, the Sixers signed Kelly Oubre Jr. to a one-year, veteran-minimum contract in mid-September. He proceeded to start 52 games for them and averaged 15.4 points in 30.2 minutes per game, which helped him land a two-year, $16.4 million contract via the room mid-level exception this past summer. If the Sixers don’t flip him before the trade deadline, they’ll have Early Bird rights on him this coming offseason, which would enable them to sign him to a four-year deal worth up to $62.6 million.
Guerschon Yabusele could follow in Oubre’s footsteps soon enough.
After his standout play at the Olympics with the French national team, the Sixers signed Yabusele to a one-year, $2.1 million veteran-minimum contract in late August. Yabusele flamed out of the league after only two years with the Boston Celtics in the late 2010s, but the Sixers have given his NBA career a new lease on life. He’s taken that opportunity and run with it, as he’s averaging 9.6 points on 49.5 percent shooting and 5.2 rebounds in only 23.5 minutes per game.
The Sixers will be in a similar boat with Yabusele this offseason that they were with Oubre last summer. Since Yabusele is on a one-year deal, the Sixers will only have non-Bird rights on him. That means the Sixers can offer him only 120 percent of his previous salary or 120 percent of the minimum salary, whichever is greater. (The latter will be slightly higher.)
In 2025-26, the minimum salary projects to be roughly $2.3 million, so the Sixers could start Yabusele’s next contract at roughly $2.75 million if they use non-Bird rights to re-sign him. The contract could span up to four years, although Yabusele would likely prefer a shorter deal to maximize his earning power.
Depending on what the Sixers do at the trade deadline—namely, whether they add more salary for the 2025-26 season—they could have another way to re-sign Yabusele.
The first apron is currently projected to be $195.9 million next season, while the second apron is projected to be $207.8 million. Teams that go over the first apron have access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, which projects to be $5.7 million next year, while teams over the second apron lose access to all MLEs. Teams that use the taxpayer MLE get hard-capped at the second apron, which means they aren’t allowed to exceed that threshold under any circumstance.
If the Sixers don’t add salary for next season at the trade deadline, they should have enough wiggle room under the second apron to use the taxpayer MLE this offseason. That’s true even if they give Oubre the full $62.6 million contract that he’s able to receive via Early Bird rights and if Andre Drummond opts out and the Sixers give him a $1 million raise via his non-Bird rights.
In that scenario, the Sixers would wind up being less than $700,000 below the second apron once they filled out the remainder of their roster. Granted, they’d likely leave one roster spot open, just like they have this season, to maximize their flexibility and give themselves slightly more wiggle room. Still, that proximity to the second apron wouldn’t be unprecedented.
This season, the New York Knicks are hard-capped at the second apron and currently sit about $535,000 below it. The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t hard-capped at the moment, but they entered the season only $30,000 below the second apron. (They did just give themselves more breathing room with the D’Angelo Russell/Dorian Finney-Smith trade, though.) The Golden State Warriors are hard-capped at the first apron and are only $330,000 below, while the Dallas Mavericks are hard-capped at the first apron and are only $525,000 below.
These are the tight margins that front offices will have to navigate in the coming years under this new CBA. But it’s at least theoretically possible that the Sixers could spend the taxpayer MLE on Yabusele, re-sign both Oubre and Drummond if they opt out and still stay below the second apron.
If Yabusele is amenable to re-signing on a two-year minimum contract with a second-year player option, that’d be the best-case scenario for the Sixers. That wouldn’t hard-cap them, and they’d still gain Early Bird rights on Yabusele, so they could re-sign him the following summer for 105 percent of the league’s average salary in the 2025-26 season. That could put him right in the same four-year, $60 million ballpark that Oubre will be in this summer.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Sixers won’t have anything more than the taxpayer MLE to offer Yabusele, if they even have that. If another team offers him $6-plus million, whether via cap space, the non-taxpayer MLE or the room MLE, the Sixers can’t outbid them.
Granted, Oubre could prove instructive to Yabusele in that regard. After he re-signed with the Sixers last summer, he said he had other options on the table—including some that were “closer to the ballpark” of where he wanted to land financially—but he instead chose to stay in Philly.
“At the end of the day, man, it’s all about situations,” Oubre told reporters after he re-signed. “It’s all about fit, it’s all about the people that I’m working with and I’m working for. And that just superseded everything else, because I didn’t want to necessarily move my family to a new place, go and meet new people and have to do this all over again.”
“I want to … I don’t want to say finish what I started, because I don’t plan on being done. This is a step toward where I want to be at—signing a more long-term deal—but this was the place where I felt comfortable, and I felt safe and happy. And I fell in love with the game of basketball here, so why would I go anywhere else?”
The Sixers can only hope Yabusele will feel the same way this coming offseason, particularly if another team offers him more than the taxpayer MLE. Luckily, it sounds like he might.
“From the beginning, they’ve been super positive with me and pushing me every time I’m on the court,” Yabusele told reporters about his time with the Sixers. “Like the coaches and the players pushing me to shoot the ball sometimes, they’ve been telling me to shoot the ball. It’s been perfect since I’ve got here. They’ve shown me so much love. I’m really feeding off that energy for sure. They make me want to do more and just keep fighting.”
Only a handful of teams project to have cap space this offseason, and using one of the MLEs results in a hard cap. There’s no guarantee that Yabusele will have an eight-figure offer from another team awaiting in free agency, particularly after guys like Tyus Jones and Gary Trent Jr. had to settle for one-year, veteran-minimum contracts last summer.
The Sixers can only hope that the rest of the league overlooks what Yabusele is doing for them. They have limited ways to retain him, but it’d be in their best interest to keep him around beyond this season.
The Philadelphia 76ers are faced with a tough decision this offseason as they look to re-sign Guerschon Yabusele, who has become a key contributor off the bench for the team. With limited cap space and a number of other free agents to consider, the Sixers will need to get creative in order to keep Yabusele in Philadelphia.
One option the Sixers could explore is signing Yabusele to a team-friendly deal that includes incentives based on performance. By offering Yabusele a contract that rewards him for reaching certain goals, such as minutes played or points scored, the Sixers could potentially keep him in Philadelphia without breaking the bank.
Another option for the Sixers is to explore sign-and-trade scenarios with other teams in order to free up cap space to re-sign Yabusele. By packaging Yabusele with another player or draft picks, the Sixers could potentially bring in a player of equal or greater value while still keeping Yabusele on the roster.
Ultimately, the Sixers will need to get creative and think outside the box in order to re-sign Yabusele this offseason. With his valuable contributions off the bench and his potential for growth, it would be in the Sixers’ best interest to find a way to keep him in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future.
The best quote the legendary center shared was from venerable offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland:
Hungry dogs run faster.
Surely nobody in the NBA was hungrier than Kelly Oubre, Jr. last season.
The eccentric wing was expecting a robust July market at 27 years old and coming off a season where he averaged over 20 points a game. Instead, he was forced to take a minimum deal to join the Sixers in late September. Oubre never shied away from that feeling of being disrespected, but to his credit, he used it to fuel arguably his best pro season in 2023-24.
Surely nobody in the NBA was hungrier than Guerschon Yabusele entering this season.
Before Yabusele posterized LeBron James at the Paris Olympics, the NBA world had mostly forgotten about him. The Frenchman was the 16th overall pick in the 2016 draft but struggled to find his place on some stacked Boston Celtics teams. By age 23, he was out of the league and went back overseas. As far as he knew, his NBA dream was dead.
But years spent improving his game overseas culminated in a strong run for Les Bleus — well beyond him dunking arguably the greatest player of all time into oblivion.
Like Oubre before him, Yabusele is providing the Sixers with incredible value. With the climate of the new CBA and the second apron boogeyman looming over every franchise, team-building requires more creativity than ever. It seems like Daryl Morey has found a market inefficiency by bringing in overlooked players like Oubre and Yabusele on minimum deals.
Oubre’s impact on the Sixers has been undeniable. During a mess of a season last year, Oubre was oftentimes the team’s No. 2 offensive option behind Tyrese Maxey while Joel Embiid was recovering from knee surgery and Tobias Harris struggled mightily. Oubre’s defense took a leap under head coach Nick Nurse, whom Oubre often referred to as a “genius.”
It was really a crescendo for Oubre’s career. A perfect combination of a player being humbled and hungry, and finding a team, city and coach he connected with. It led to Oubre re-signing with the Sixers this past offseason for two years and $16.3 million (with next season being a player option). So far in 2024-25, Oubre has filled his role to perfection when the team’s Big 3 has been healthy.
Like the entire organization, Oubre got off to a rough start this season. While the health of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George has played a large part in the Sixers’ turnaround, Oubre has been essential.
The Sixers are 10-3 over their last 13 games. During that stretch, Oubre is averaging 12.9 points while shooting over 50% from the floor and 34.5% from three (which represents a solid number for Oubre). He’s wreaking havoc defensively (1.8 steals per game) and been a demon on the glass (6.5 rebounds per game). His energy, athleticism, and well-timed cutting have been excellent complements to the team’s stars.
Meanwhile, Yabusele has pretty much been the same all season. In fact, he’s been the Sixers’ most dependable player on a night-to-night basis. In his first NBA game since 2019, Yabusele was the primary backup for Andre Drummond, who was filling in for Embiid on opening night. The 6-foot-8 Yabusele is a natural four, but there he was going toe-to-toe with the likes of Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo down low. He acquitted himself quite well that night and has been consistent since.
On the season, Yabusele is averaging 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23.7 minutes a game. He’s stuffed the stat sheet and been efficient, shooting 50.2% from the field. One of the things that’s made him so much more effective in his second NBA stint is his shooting. He went 21-of-65 (32.3%) from deep in 74 games with the Celtics. In just 30 games with the Sixers, he’s 44-of-112 (39.3%).
And for fun, the Dancing Bear has tried to recreate his viral LeBron moment.
Yabusele has given the Sixers an ideal front-court player — one that can stretch the floor, be switchable defensively, and have the overall versatility to both back up Embiid and play with him. The craziest thing is it feels like Yabusele might even have more to give as he coalesces with his new teammates and earns more and more trust from Nurse.
Here’s a fun fact: only two Sixers have played in every game this season. Take a wild guess who they might be.
Oubre and Yabusele are providing a spark and strong play to a team that desperately needed role players of their archetypes. They both play like bullies with a fearlessness not often seen among role players during the Joel Embiid era.
Oubre and Yabusele are proof — hungry dogs do run faster.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre and Guerschon Yabusele are proving that hungry dogs do run faster on the court. These two players have been playing with a fierce intensity and determination that is impossible to ignore.
Oubre, who was acquired by the Sixers in a trade earlier this season, has been a dynamic force on both ends of the floor. His aggressive defense and scoring ability have been instrumental in the team’s success. Oubre’s hunger to prove himself as a valuable asset to his new team has been evident in every game he plays.
Yabusele, who was signed by the Sixers as a free agent, has also been making a name for himself with his relentless energy and hustle. His rebounding and shot-blocking abilities have been crucial in helping the team secure key victories. Yabusele’s hunger to succeed and make an impact on the court is palpable every time he steps onto the floor.
Together, Oubre and Yabusele are embodying the saying that hungry dogs do run faster. Their hunger for success and determination to prove themselves are driving them to perform at their best every game. As they continue to showcase their skills and tenacity, it’s clear that these two players are hungry for more and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
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