Guerschon Yabusele’s short-lived tenure with the New York Knicks came to a quiet but definitive end on Thursday when the Knicks traded the French forward/center to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Dalen Terry, a move first reported by ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Yabusele had signed a two-year, roughly $11.2 million contract with New York last summer after an eye-catching stint with the Philadelphia 76ers and a strong run with the French national team. Expectations were modest but hopeful: the Knicks envisioned him as a versatile, energy-bringing big man who could shore up frontcourt depth.
Instead, his season in New York was defined by limited playing time and disappointing production. Across 41 appearances, he averaged just 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in less than nine minutes per game, shooting under 40 percent from the field and unable to carve out a meaningful role under head coach Mike Brown.
A Change of Scenery: Bulls Acquire Yabusele
The Chicago Bulls, still shuffling their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline, agreed to take on Yabusele’s contract — reportedly viewed around the league as a salary-dump opportunity for a Knicks team eager to clear cap space and roster flexibility.
In return, New York receives 23-year-old wing guard Dalen Terry, a former first-round pick who offers defensive versatility and backcourt depth.
Terry, in his fourth NBA season, has shown flashes as a role player but hasn’t yet broken out in Chicago.
For the Bulls, adding Yabusele presents a low-risk gamble on a player with size and international experience who might benefit from a fresh start — especially on a team with fewer established options in the frontcourt.
Why Things Fell Apart in New York
Mismatch of Expectations and Performance
Yabusele’s struggles in New York were a stark contrast to his emergence with the Sixers in 2024-25, where he averaged double-digit scoring and rebounded well as a key reserve.
In New York, however, he was rarely more than a late-rotation piece.
His shooting regressions and defensive lapses made it difficult for coach Mike Brown to trust him in meaningful minutes, and Yabusele gradually fell out of the rotation entirely.
Fit, Rotation and Knicks’ Philosophical Priorities
Part of the issue stemmed from the Knicks’ roster construction — powered by stars like Jalen Brunson and a frontcourt anchored by Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson — which left little room for a player needing rhythm and confidence to thrive.
There were also rumblings throughout the season about trade interest and potential overseas options, as both New York and Yabusele explored alternatives amid his diminishing role.
What’s Next for Yabusele?
His time with the Knicks may have been underwhelming, but the door remains open for redemption in Chicago.
The Bulls could use his size and experience, and fresh surroundings might unlock a role that eluded him in New York.
How significant that role becomes — and whether he remains with the Bulls beyond this season — will depend on both his play and further roster moves before the deadline.
Meanwhile, New York gains a young, versatile guard in Terry, potentially addressing a backcourt need and helping balance the roster more strategically as the Knicks eye a deeper postseason push.
Looking Back and Ahead
Yabusele’s Knicks chapter serves as a reminder that not all free-agent signings — even those with intriguing resumes — translate seamlessly when expectations, systems, and rotations shift.
What was hyped as a savvy mid-tier addition has become a cautionary tale in timing and fit.
As the Bulls integrate him and the Knicks move forward with renewed clarity in their rotation, both teams are betting that this trade — though underwhelming on its face — better positions their respective futures down the stretch.
