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Boston Celtics: Yabusele Could be Moved for This New Fan Favorite

By Christopher Denson

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Shane Larkin #8 Semi Ojeleye #37 and Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics react during the game against the New York Knicks on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Shane Larkin #8 Semi Ojeleye #37 and Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics react during the game against the New York Knicks on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Guerschon Yabusele has danced his way into die hard Boston Celtics fans since 2016. However as the 2019 off-season is upon us, he may be dancing his way out.

When originally drafted in 2016, Yabusele didn’t get the warm reception immediately from Boston Celtics fans, as many hadn’t heard of the 6-foot-8 forward from France prior to the draft. Yet Yabusele turned heads during his first few NBA Summer League outings in 2016 with monster performances in both the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas tournaments.

That game hasn’t exactly translated to date, as Yabusele finds himself playing in his third year of Summer League games while showing no true development or potential to support the reasoning of him being drafted so high.

He’s averaging a mere 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds for his career numbers in Boston. Yabusele hasn’t seen much playing time aside from his frequent stints in the NBA’s G League where he’s played for the Maine Red Claws and had great outings that never transitioned to the NBA hardwood.

After a lackluster performance that had analyst and commentators showing more attention to the incoming rookie class, many spectators have began to wonder if it’s time for the Boston Celtics to move on from Yabusele and look on to an undrafted center that’s quickly winning fans over—Tacko Fall.

Fall impressed the nation during the University of Central Florida’s recent run during March Madness as he went to war with then-Duke star Zion Williamson and finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Though his game is raw at best, at 7-foot-7 it’s hard to pass on the center who’s shown significant promise during his first Summer League game Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

As it can’t be said what can become of Fall from just one game on top of it only being an exhibition, the Celtics’ front office has to be more prone to take another look at the UCF product, who brought fans to their feet by simply walking to the scorer’s table to check in. Fall finished with six points, four rebounds, and one emphatic block in 10 minutes, but it doesn’t tell the story of how his simple presence on the floor creates havoc for opposing front court players.

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"“He’s got good hands, he’s got good mobility and he’s such an amazing person,” said Boston’s player personnel Austin Ainge as he spoke to ESPN broadcasters during the game."

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There would certainly have certain moves made to bring Fall aboard while parting ways with Yabusele, but the upside could be tremendous going forward.