Well, the New York Knicks are certainly operating like a team motivated by last year’s Eastern Conference Finals run.
After earning a veteran’s minimum commitment from Jordan Clarkson, Leon Rose and the front office have inked one of the free-agent market’s most coveted players.
Guerschon Yabusele is signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Knicks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Yabusele was a revelation signing for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, after spending three seasons in Spain playing for Real Madrid.
Over 70 games played for New York’s division rival, he averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds, including a 38% shooting clip from three.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post adds that the second year is a player option.
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported that the 29-year-old big man elected to sign in the Big Apple over the Denver Nuggets, who heavily pursued him.
Yabusele’s contract will slot into the $5.7 million tax mid-level exception for the Knicks and hard cap the team at the infamous second apron.
It’s not the end of the line for New York, which can and likely will offer a veteran’s minimum contract to someone like Landry Shamet.
But just two days into free agency, the Knicks’ 2025-2026 roster is nearly complete barring a blockbuster trade.
Look for a head coaching hire to be the next breaking news out of the Big Apple.