Guerschon Yabusele has taken the long road back to the NBA spotlight, and now he’s primed to become a key figure in the New York Knicks’ frontcourt. Once a forgotten first-round pick, the 6-foot-8 French forward rebuilt his game overseas, starred for Real Madrid, shone in the 2024 Olympics, and returned to the league last season with the Sixers. After averaging 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, and hitting 38% from deep in 70 games for Philly, he’s officially back.

Yabusele spoke clearly about why he chose the Knicks: “I like the team, the spirit that they had on the court. They play tough, every possession – they play together and you could tell they were bonding together. They had a goal together. They fight.” He’s not here to blend in. “Be a good teammate first, on and off the court. Bring all the energy possible. Play every day with joy and bring the fun out there – the rest is going to take care of itself,” he added.

What is the Knicks Star Guerschon Yabusele’s NBA Salary?

Guerschon Yabusele signed a two-year of $11.275 million with the New York Knicks in July 2025. The deal includes a player option in the second year with control over his future heading into 2026-27.

• 2025-26: $5,500,000
• 2026-27: $5,775,000 (Player Option)
• Cap Hold 2027-28: $7,507,500

His salary is just below the full mid-level exception, giving the Knicks flexibility to fill out the rest of the roster.

Yabusele’s Earnings Over the Years

Yabusele’s NBA career earnings reflect his journey across leagues and continents:

He was a steal in free agency. The Knicks signed him for less than the full MLE, allowing space for two veteran minimum signings. This kind of front-office savvy might be the margin between a second-round exit and a Finals run.

Yabusele Is the Knicks’ Gain and the Sixers’ Loss

The Philadelphia 76ers had him, then let him walk. “I didn’t have any hard feelings or hard time. But they almost didn’t make really like an offer,” Yabusele told SKWeek. “They did, but it was really, really low, to be really transparent. So it was I felt like, ‘Oh my god, you guys, it seems like you don’t really want me to stay, kind of.’ So it was a situation.”

That “situation” turned into a masterclass in mismanagement. While the Sixers shuffle through names like Dominick Barlow and Johni Broome for backup forward minutes, the “Dancing Bear” will likely become the most important big man off the bench in New York. He can float between four and five, bang with size, and stretch the floor. For Knicks fans, this signing is gold. For Philly, it’s a miss they might come to regret. Yabusele wanted a team with fight, while the Knicks wanted a forward who could bring energy. Now, both sides have what they were looking for.