The New York Knicks have been active at the start of free agency. They will reportedly add Jordan Clarkson to their second unit, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The former Sixth Man of the Year brings more offensive firepower to a bench in need of it.
Charania reports that the Knicks are also bolstering their frontcourt. New York is bringing former Boston Celtics first-round pick Guerschon Yabusele to the Big Apple. The six-foot-eight power forward has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract that also includes a player option.
After two years in Boston, Yabusele's career took him overseas. Working his way from China to Real Madrid, his game kept growing as he filled up his passport. He then impressed at last summer's Olympics, playing for the host country, France.
That earned the 29-year-old the chance to return to the NBA. Back in the Association, he was a rare bright spot for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2024-25 campaign. Yabusele averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He also knocked down 38 percent of the 3.9 threes he attempted.
Now he'll team with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson in New York. The move has significant implications for the Celtics.
What the Knicks' signing of Yabusele signals
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Boston's geographical rival, who knocked them out of the playoffs in the second round, was among the teams pursuing Al Horford.
Maybe they still are. However, the signing of Yabusele suggests they're out of the running. That leaves the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Celtics.
After the first round of the NBA Draft concluded, the latter organization's president of basketball operations put Boston's attempt to re-sign Horford and Luke Kornet at the top of the franchise's to-do list.
"There's no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back," said Stevens. "Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them. It's their call ultimately, but yeah, we would love to have those guys back."
Unfortunately, Kornet is now with the San Antonio Spurs. He agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal on day 1 of free agency. Horford has an affinity for the Celtics and the city. However, their lack of flexibility entering what is poised to be a gap year signals that while he likely isn't bound for New York, he's also departing Boston.