The Boston Celtics are entering an offseason filled with question marks and uncertainty following their second-round exit from this year's NBA playoffs. The tenures of players such as Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser in Boston could soon come to an end as the team tries to shed salary to fall below the second-apron threshold.
While trade speculation always looms large at this time of year, the Celtics will also have to keep tabs on their unrestricted free agents heading into this offseason, with Al Horford and Luke Kornet being the two names to watch.
The Celtics will already be at a disadvantage next season, having to navigate the year without their best player in Jayson Tatum. Add the possible departure of Kornet, Horford, or both, and the Celtics would be seriously hurting in the frontcourt.
Luckily for Brad Stevens, there will be a former Celtic sitting in free agency that could help the team if they're hurting for power forward or center minutes.
Celtics Should Target Guerschon Yabusele in Free Agency
The Celtics selected Yabusele with the 16th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft under GM Danny Ainge and head coach Brad Stevens. Knowing Stevens coached Yabusele for two seasons in Boston, it would just make sense for the former to look the Frenchman's way in free agency, now as the president of basketball operations for the Celtics.
Yabusele made his NBA debut in 2017 for the Celtics. To the dismay of many Celtics fans, Yabusele didn't play like a first-round pick. He averaged just 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds across 7.1 minutes per game his rookie season, and was just another forward on a Celtics roster that featured Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and Marcus Morris in the frontcourt.
The path to playing time was never going to be easy for Yabusele, even with being a former first-round pick. Yabusele played in just 33 games his rookie season and 41 in his second year, which would be his last with the Celtics.
The Celtics waived Yabusele in July of 2019 after failing to carve out a role with the team in his second season. He would then spend the next 5 seasons overseas, between the Euroleague and CBA, before making his return to the NBA this past season, on a one-year deal playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Yabusele's impressive showing in the 2024 Olympics for Team France eventually led to a job back in the NBA, and the 29-year-old capitalized on his opportunity this past season, playing for the Celtics rival.
The Dreux, France native was an important piece in the 76ers rotation this season, playing 70 games and starting 43 of them, as the team dealt with injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George for a significant part of the year.
Across 27.1 minutes per game for the Sixers, Yabusele averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. His 50/38/72 shooting splits were a vast improvement from his splits during his two seasons with the Celtics (44/32/68). An added bonus to Yabusele's free agency appeal is that he's versatile. Listed at 6-foot-8 Yabusele can play any position from the 3-5, as the Celtics frontcourt is in dire need of a boost next season without Tatum.
It remains to be seen just how the Celtics will navigate this offseason in terms of shedding salary, and Yabusele's asking price is to be determined. But for Boston, one thing is certain. They need more help in the frontcourt especially with Tatum sidelined, and the future of Kornet and Horford unknown.
If the Celtics can make the money work, Yabusele could be a low-risk, high-reward signing, as he's already familiar with Brad Stevens and has improved his three-point shooting over the years. He will be worth a look during this year's free agency frenzy, as the Celtics should look to swoop in and sign a player who has impressed both on an international and NBA stage over the past year.