Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Knicks Use Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception to Sign Yabusele

Philadelphia’s lack of Bird rights kept it from exceeding the cap, preventing a matching mid-level offer for Yabusele.

Apr 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) shields the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images/File Photo
PHLY Sixers Podcast: Was letting Guerschon Yabusele go to the Knicks a mistake for Sixers?
Image
Image

Overview

  • On July 1, Yabusele agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Knicks that features a player option for the second season.
  • The Knicks deployed their taxpayer mid-level exception to secure Yabusele, triggering the NBA’s second apron and imposing a hard cap.
  • Philadelphia lacked Yabusele’s Bird rights after his one-year minimum deal, which barred the Sixers from exceeding the salary cap to match New York’s offer.
  • The 29-year-old averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists with a 38.0 percent three-point rate in 70 games for the Sixers in 2024–25.
  • The Sixers held off on using their mid-level exception to preserve cap space for restricted free agent Quentin Grimes before matching any offer sheet.