In a major offseason shocker, the Philadelphia 76ers have officially lost Guerschon Yabusele to an unprecedented bidder — the New York Knicks.
While the news is way too fresh to fully digest on the part of the 76ers, the front office has no time to douse themselves in regret and sentimentality. Movements in the free agency market are on a rampant velocity, and the team cannot afford to let another opportunity slip past them and make the situation take an even uglier turn.
Philly has to swiftly pivot to find Yabusele’s replacement. As currently constructed, the 76ers are incredibly vulnerable at power forward. Fortunately, there remains an attractive option for the team who will not cost an arm and a leg — look no further than Trey Lyles, who remains unsigned as of writing.
The 76ers have to sign Trey Lyles after losing Guerschon Yabusele
The 76ers still have slightly below $6 million to spend in order to lure in a replacement for the versatile forward, and Lyles is definitely someone they can entice on those terms. Trendon Watford is a great, under-the-radar addition, but he cannot solely assume the void left by the Frenchman.
Lyles, who spent the last three and a half seasons with the Sacramento Kings, is arguably the best remaining free agent power forward who could feasibly be interested in going to Philadelphia. He is a safe rotation cog who offers size at forward, and his skill set is not that far-flung from Yabusele’s.
The 29-year-old drained his three-point attempts at an above league-average rate in three of the last four seasons, and he has managed to remain a consistent role player in Sacramento. He is a good rebounder who has an uncanny knack for being in the right position, and is a heady passer out of the high post.
There are more decorated players who are still available for picking, such as Al Horford. However, the 76ers will have a difficult time finding potential replacements who could legitimately be interested in going to the franchise. Horford, on the other hand, will probably shrug off at the idea of returning to Philly.
The Philadelphia 76ers have to act accordingly and make it a point to sign Trey Lyles to man Yabusele’s role next season. Otherwise, they risk aggravating a pressing roster issue they already had even when the Frenchman was still on the roster.