Guerschon Yabusele will most likely be spurning the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. That is pretty much obvious at this point given how the front office has maneuvered as of late.
In fact, in signing Trendon Watford to a two-year deal, the 76ers may have just recognized the fact that Yabusele already one foot out of the door. Pundits have also been in unison in inferring that the forward is likely headed elsewhere now, and the Watford is ultimately Daryl Morey and his crew’s attempt at replacing him without spending a fortune.
However, the 76ers should have seen this one coming. In fact, they actually did, but chose to blatantly ignore such a huge possibility. Now, it is starting to haunt them, making them look really shortsighted, if not outright foolish, at the moment.
The 76ers should have traded Guerschon Yabusele long ago
The moment the 76ers signed Yabusele to a veteran’s minimum deal last summer, they already knew that they would be heavily restricted as to how much they could offer him in case he pans out and becomes a vital piece of the puzzle.
That exact scenario unfolded this season, yet Philly’s brass opted to gloss over this situation instead of capitalizing on Yabusele’s value. There was string clamor among the fanbase for the front office to trade the forward before the deadline, but they insisted on their small chance of re-signing him in free agency. That seems to be nothing more than bloated ego right now.
A myriad of playoff teams reportedly showed interest in striking a deal with the 76ers to acquire Yabusele in time for their respective postseason runs which, of course, would have resulted in Philly getting at least some assets in return. Instead, they are now poised to let him walk away for nothing, signaling a weird ending for an otherwise huge feel-good story.
The Philadelphia 76ers only have themselves to blame. Had they exercised better foresight and understanding of the situation, they would have been able to turn Yabusele into a conduit to net more assets. It would seem like sentiment got in the way of reasonable decision-making, and for that, another team out there stands to make them pay.
In the end, the franchise ushered in one of the most impressive NBA comebacks in recent memory. Unfortunately, thanks to their hubris, they will most likely be left without any reward for doing so.