Sixers Notes: Yabusele, Embiid, George, Bailey

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is making it known that re-signing free agent forward Guerschon Yabusele will be an offseason priority. In a recent appearance on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast, Morey was asked if he had a message for Yabusele, who was slated to join the hosts on draft lottery night (hat tip to HoopsHype).

“He’s really embraced Philly, which is exciting,” Morey responded. “He’s going to have many great options—I mean, he’s very valued around the league. So, hopefully he understands how important he is to us and to the fans of Philly. Him being at your event—I think you might actually help us in free agency by having him there.”

Morey delivered a similar message with “Kincade and Salciunas” on 97.5 The Fanatic (hat tip to Sportando), saying, “Yabusele’s an unrestricted free agent so we will look to re-sign him, but historically in the league, that tends to be a harder situation, but it would be awesome if we could get him back.”

Yabusele played two years in Boston, then spent five seasons in Europe before rekindling NBA interest with a strong performance in the Summer Olympics. He signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia last August and was one of the few bright spots in an injury-filled season, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per night in 70 games.

The Sixers don’t hold Yabusele’s Bird Rights, so they can only offer him a 120% raise on his $2.1MM contract unless they use part of their mid-level exception. He has expressed a desire to remain in Philadelphia, but he may get better offers on the open market.

There’s more on the Sixers:

• Morey expressed optimism that Joel Embiid can return to his MVP form, but the odds are against it, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer states in a mailbag column. Embiid, 32, is coming off two significant operations on his left knee within 14 months. Embiid’s recovery progress this summer will be closely watched, but it’s possible that knee issues will continue to bother him for the rest of his career.
• There won’t be much of a market if the team tries to unload Paul George‘s contract during the offseason, Pompey predicts in the same piece. Injuries limited George to 41 games this season, and he still has three years and $162.3MM left on the contract he signed as a free agent last summer. Age is another concern as he turned 35 earlier this month, and Pompey notes that any executive would be risking his job by trading for George if it doesn’t work out.
• Ace Bailey, who’s considered a strong possibility to be selected by the Sixers with the No. 3 pick, listed George as one of his player comparisons in an interview at the draft combine (Twitter video link from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). “Big 3. KD (Kevin Durant), Paul George and Jayson Tatum,” Bailey said. “George and Tatum, their creation for them to get their shot off is unbelievable. I see myself doing the same thing. KD in the mid post with one, two dribbles, or less is straight buckets.”