New York made a splash this offseason.
The New York Knicks made one of the best moves of the offseason, even if it hasn’t been given much attention.
Over the past several weeks, the Knicks have made only a few moves as they prepare to challenge for the Eastern Conference title in 2026. Of course, the team’s biggest move of the offseason was ditching Tom Thibodeau and eventually hiring Mike Brown.
The 2023 Coach of the Year will have mostly the same roster as Thibodeau did last season, but the Knicks have provided Brown with some more depth. Although the Knicks have mostly kept their roster intact from last season, they have made a couple of solid free agency signings.
While Jordan Clarkson might be the biggest name the team has added, Guerschon Yabusele could be the most impactful, as laid out by CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin, who named the deal one of the most underrated of the offseason.
“In addition to the general bench production Yabusele will provide, Brown can, where he specifically sees fit, even at closing time perhaps, replace Hart with Yabusele and give New York five threatening shooters while keeping a stout defense intact,” Botkin wrote. “I love this addition for the Knicks, both in general and for the specific lineup options Brown can now tinker with in preparation for a postseason in which he should be looking to use his reserves more than Tom Thibodeau ever did.”
It’s hard to argue with Botkin’s analysis, given how New York’s lack of depth has been a detriment for the squad over the past two seasons. While Yabusele isn’t necessarily a center, he can act as a bit of an Isaiah Hartenstein replacement, whose departure the Knicks never fully recovered from last season.
Yabusele was a star in the Olympics for France, and he had a great NBA comeback year in Philadelphia last season. Assuming he can continue his positive momentum, Yabusele could shine in New York, and this signing likely won’t be viewed as under-the-radar much longer.
Category: Basketball
