Unless Guerschon Yabusele‘s play and role with the Knicks change substantially over the next several weeks, both sides would probably be better off parting ways prior to the February 5 trade deadline, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link).
As Bondy explains, Yabusele was New York’s primary free agent addition over the summer — the team signed the French forward to a two-year, $11.25MM contract using the taxpayer mid-level exception. However, the signing took place prior to the hiring of new head coach Mike Brown, and Yabusele hasn’t fit well in Brown’s fast-paced offensive system.
Yabusele becomes trade-eligible on Monday, and while he wouldn’t be viewed as a positive asset on his own, his salary could be useful for matching purposes, Bondy notes. The Knicks could use a backup point guard, and Bondy cites Jose Alvarado as a player who might fit the team’s needs.
Alvarado, who earns $4.5MM this season with an identical player option for 2026/27, would be a popular name on the market if the Pelicans make him available to trade, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link), who agrees that the Knicks would be among the teams with interest in the New York native.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Forward OG Anunoby has quickly shown his importance to the Knicks after returning from a hamstring strain earlier this month, per Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. The team has gone 3-0 with Anunoby back in action and is now 76-36 (.679 winning percentage) when the 28-year-old plays during the regular season since his arrival in 2023/24, Schwartz writes, compared to 25-20 (.556) when he has been unavailable. “OG, he was all over the place,” Josh Hart said after Tuesday’s win in Toronto, when Anunoby keyed a second-quarter run. “He really helped start that run and then we were able to get stops, play fast, get out in transition and play to our strength. Huge shoutout to him, really changed the tide of the game.”
- Brown continues to push star guard Jalen Brunson‘s MVP candidacy, as Andrew Crane of The New York Post relays. When asked if Brunson is already among the greatest players in Knicks history, Brown didn’t hesitate to give an affirmative reply. “He’s been here long enough,” Brown said Thursday. “He’s helped them win a lot of games. Obviously, he did start in Dallas, but he was a little younger. It wasn’t his team. He wasn’t really the guy. He came here, it’s his team, he’s the guy here, he’s an MVP candidate, like I said, and so what he’s doing is definitely franchise-altering, and again, that has to be taken note [of]. Not just in the MVP race but also within the community of New York.”
- Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal will mark New York’s fourth matchup with Orlando this season, with the Magic winning the first two contests before the Knicks claimed the third last Sunday, observes Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. Saturday could be a potential playoff preview for two teams hoping to come out of the Eastern Conference. “I don’t feel it’s on the rivalry level yet,” Brown said after Thursday’s practice. “It can be in due time, but I don’t think it’s there yet.”
Here long enough? I think not. Love him as a player but let’s give him another 5-7 years with the team before we start talking like that. Mike Brown is obviously unaware of the history the team has when it comes to greats. Right now he hasn’t won anything major with the team. Personally he hasn’t even passed Melo. When he gets to the finals then we can talk.
link to nypost.com
This is a good story about Knicks and changing coaches. Tells it too awhile for coach Brown to adjust. And the respect he showed Thibs.
You would think with his better shooting. Yabusele would fit better than Precious. Unfortunately he doesn’t move as well as Previous for a big. He is inconsistent. This was definitely Rose doing. I just hope we can get something for him.
Magic game should be a good one. I know Magic are coming to play. Knicks better be ready. Thunder vs Spurs is also a must see…….. NYK
Brown, first and foremost, should focus on doing his job, maybe even consider covering 3 pt shooters once in awhile. Any free time he has after that, I suggest he use reading up on NYC basketball history, and keep reading until he realizes that nobody here requires his direction on how to appreciate a basketball player. Let the NYK PR department promote Brunson for MVP.
I think he is trying to get in good with his players lol. I agree he should just concentrate on winning.
Knicks looking good. 71 pts in first half is awesome
Brunson is just Brunson. So glad we have him.
Only 71-64 at half. So we gotta finish this right .
Lets go …..
Bane starting to heat up. Both benches aren’t really helping. Yabusele is just a non factor. This could be it for him. You have to show up this game. Do something lol.
Let’s Go Knicks ………. Let’s Go Knicks
Brunson the Captain keads the way ……
It’s over for Yabusele …. Would Sixers take him hack ….. we want Johni Broome ….
Brunson with 40 pts ……
OG —. 40 mins, Brudfes 43 mins, Bunson 39 mins.
Is Thbs still coaching this team lols ?????
Bring on the Thunder …..
So now all this talk about the Thunder …….
I tried telling you they gad trouble with talented centers. Maybe now you will be believe me. This is why the Nuggets, Rockets can give them trouble. Now the Spurs with Wemby. Did you watch …
If TWolves get Coby. Then they will also give Thunder trouble.