76ers should be prepared to be outbid for fan-favorite player in free agency

Heading into the offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers face many questions regarding their short-term future. One of the biggest questions is whether Philadelphia can retain Guerschon Yabusele under its tight budget. While the answer to this is yet to be determined, Yabusele broke the silence on his NBA future less than a month away from the start of free agency on July 6th.

In an interview with Yabusele, Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype asked him about Philadelphia’s potential interest in re-signing him and what factors will decide whether he will remain in the NBA or go back overseas:

“We will see those options also with the upcoming summer when we’re going to know a little bit what’s going on. I know the Sixers are going to look to change some pieces in the roster, so you have to wait also to see what’s gonna happen, but the draft’s gonna set everything pretty much for every team to know where they’re going with the trades and stuff like that. I guess we’ll see soon but I’m pretty excited. It’s going to be my first time really enjoying free agency, especially in the NBA. I’m pretty excited just to hear the offers, to see what’s going on, to see the movement.”

It will be tricky for the 76ers to re-sign Yabusele

Yabusele emphasized one of the biggest subplots surrounding Philadelphia’s possession of the third overall pick. The player selected with that pick will make about $11.1 million next season, which isn’t a big deal for most teams in the draft lottery. However, the 76ers aren’t your typical lottery team as they’re in win-now mode with a heavy payroll. 

To look ahead, Philadelphia has approximately $177.3 million on the books next season and is around $18.4 million below the first tax apron at $196 million. At first glance, it may seem like the 76ers have flexibility, but when you factor in the mentioned rookie scale contract, potentially $16.9 million in player options (three), possibly $7.2 million in team options (three), and their interest in re-signing Quentin Grimes, things become a lot messier. 

Originally, Philadelphia signed Yabusele to a one-year/veteran minimum deal worth about $2.1 million. That contract quickly became one of the best bargains in the NBA as he finished the year averaging career-highs of 11 points per game on 61.6% true-shooting, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. He became the dynamic forward that the 76ers had desired  for years and was part of the reason why they stayed in the Play-In Tournament race amidst their injuries before tanking out the remainder of the season.

Coming off such a revitalization at 29 years old, Yabusele likely wants to get paid and he’s undoubtedly earned more than a veteran minimum. He’ll possibly command the full non-tax-paper mid-level exception, which will earn him $14.1 million next season. While it’s not impossible, Philadelphia would need to make cost-cutting moves such as declining some of its team options and salary-dumps if all three of its player options are accepted. Needless to say, it’s easier said than done and Yabusele’s 76ers tenure may be over.