ESPN confirmed yesterday that Guerschon Yabusele signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his return to the NBA. Yabusele, who fills a need for a power forward behind Caleb Martin, adds extra defense to the already stacked 76ers. However, despite his return, don’t expect him to see much playing time; he might not even be in the rotation, according to 76ers insider Rick Kamla and Antonio Daniels.

Kamla and Daniels discussed Yabusele’s addition to the Philadelphia 76ers on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “It’s almost like he kind of, in a different sense, is PJ Tucker is to me. You know, just a tough guy that can defend, that’s willing to do the dirty work, and that’s all you need.” Antonio Daniels said.

PJ Tucker is known for his tough, gritty play, excelling in defense, hustle, and reliable perimeter shooting. With a reputation as a dependable defender, the 76ers are now looking to Yabusele, who stands at 6’6″, brings a strong build, solid defense, and three-point shooting ability, to match Tucker’s energy on the court.

“You ain’t bringing in somebody to, you know, to be a star. That’s not what you are doing. You got Tyrese Maxey, you got Joel Embiid, you have Paul George, you know you have Kelly Oubre.”  The 76ers just need someone who’ll fit in, play their role, and make a solid impact without disrupting the team’s vibe, they noted. Yabusele, who showcased his dominance and strength in the 2024 Paris Olympics, might just be the perfect addition for that.

The French player made some financial sacrifices to return to the NBA, with the 76ers covering only $850,000 of the $2.5 million buyout from Real Madrid, according to league rules. On the other hand, Yabusele was a key player with Real Madrid from the moment he joined. Now, he might have to adjust to not even being in the rotation. With all this in mind, did the ‘Dancing Bear’ make the right choice?

Taking a closer look at Guerschon Yabusele’s journey

Yabusele (28) first entered the NBA when he was drafted by the Celtics as the 16th pick in 2016. In 2017, he took his talents to China. He later returned to the Celtics for one year before heading back to Europe.

After time in the CBL and a year in France’s league, Yabusele joined Real Madrid in 2021. In the 2023-24 season, he excelled, averaging over 10 points per game. His contributions were pivotal in Real Madrid winning the EuroLeague title in 2023 and consistently reaching the final four.

Don’t forget Yabusele’s breakout show in the Olympics was a big reason he got another shot at the NBA. He won a silver medal with the French team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. “Guersch is a dominant force inside. He can really shoot outside and inside. These last two games he has been the heart of our team to be honest,” France veteran Evan Fournier said about Yabusele. ” He’s dominant. He’s short for his position but he’s so thick you can’t move him. I’m proud of him.”

Even if he’s not getting a ton of minutes in the NBA, he’s got a shot to prove himself and show he’s a valuable player. Plus, being in the league puts him on other teams’ radars who might need a key player. What do you think about his situation? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.