The Philadelphia 76ers are facing a lot of questions heading into the offseason, but there’s one definite that fans have tried to ignore, which is Guerschon Yabusele’s future. After reviving his NBA career in Philadelphia this past season, he is set to become one of the hottest names on the free agent market, and the San Antonio Spurs are in the perfect position to steal him away.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, San Antonio is among several teams that are expected to have interest in prying Yabusele from Philadelphia. However, Scotto noted that the 76ers are aiming to retain him, which has been the notion since their season ended in April. Unlike Quentin Grimes, Yabusele is an unrestricted free agent – meaning Philadelphia cannot match an offer an opposing team may throw at him.
Guerschon Yabusele when asked by Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) of @hoopshype, “The #Sixers want to re-sign you. What factors will decide if you stay or return to Europe?”:
— Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) June 9, 2025
“We will see those options also with the upcoming summer when we’re going to know a little bit what’s going on.…
Without Yabusele’s bird rights, Philadelphia will likely lack the flexibility to offer him more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected to be worth around $6 million next season. This is assuming that the 76ers re-sign Quentin Grimes, which would probably place them in the first tax apron at $195.9 million. Philadelphia would need to duck the tax to offer Yabusele the full mid-level exception projected at $14.1 million for the 2025-26 campaign.
The 76ers may be outbid by the Spurs and others
Still, Kelly Oubre Jr, Andre Drummond, and Eric Gordon all have player options and if all three were to accept, which is likely, it may be impossible for the 76ers to escape taxes and keep Grimes. This is why a team like San Antonio having an interest in Yabusele is a nightmare for Philadelphia.
The Spurs’ active roster for next season totals $143.3 million – excluding cap holds and the rookie scale contracts for both of their 2025 first-round picks. This puts San Antonio around $49 million below the first tax apron, which gives them the flexibility needed to access the full mid-level exception to sign Yabusele. The Spurs’ expected interest is likely not a smokescreen as they require more spacing and front-court depth and he checks both boxes.
Guerschon Yabusele: "If I have to go back (to Philly), I’d be more than happy." pic.twitter.com/vtPJDcXaBd
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) June 9, 2025
Yabusele to San Antonio makes too much sense, especially when you consider the connection he has with Victor Wembanyama through Team France. The fact that the Spurs can easily hand him the non-taxpayer mid-level exception with relative ease could be a death sentence for the 76ers. The other teams reportedly expected to make a run at Yabusele may have flexibility as well and if he has a strong market, Philadelphia may need to find a new power forward.