By Shams Charania, John Hollinger, and Tess de Meyer
The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly in serious talks with French forward Gershon Yabusile. The Sixers are interested in signing the Olympic silver medalist after he averaged 14 points while representing his country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Gershon Yabusili talks about LeBron James. 😳
📺 NBC & Peacock | #Paris Olympics pic.twitter.com/cjrH6Q9Epd
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Yabusili is seeking to settle a $2.5 million buyout with Real Madrid as he nears a return to the NBA. To resolve the buyout, Philadelphia will pay a maximum of $850,000, according to league rules. The remaining amount, about $1.6 million, will be settled between Yabusili and Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old played for the Boston Celtics from 2017 to 2019 after being selected by the team with the 16th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Yabusile has not been shy about his desire to return to the league, Share a post to X on August 11 that says “I’ve been waiting for a second chance.. I’m ready.”
Perfect fit for Philadelphia.
Yabusili, who stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 275 pounds, fits a clear need for Philadelphia as the fourth player on a roster that currently has no power forwards. He also sits at 14th on Philadelphia’s roster, putting the team at the minimum required.
The former Celtic has shown great improvement since his last NBA tour in 2019, capped by a stellar Olympic campaign for his native France. He hit 44.5 percent of his threes for Real Madrid last season and his form has improved dramatically, although he still struggles at times with his overall defensive awareness.
Yabusili also has the size to make substitutions in the zone, although on this list he is probably more inclined to be a floor spacer. John Hollinger, Senior NBA Writer
How will the acquisition be implemented?
The tricky part is that Philadelphia has the minimum salary cap it can offer, and Yabusili has a $2.5 million contract with Madrid. Philadelphia can only afford to pay $850,000 of that, because the rest would have to come from salary cap space or exception money, and it doesn’t have any.
However, it is possible that the two sides could negotiate a lower figure to make it more manageable. Otherwise, Yabusili would face a $1.65 million debt while earning just $2.1 million next season. Yabusili’s minimum deal could also include a second season at $2.4 million. Hollinger
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(Photo: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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