After his standout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, French forward Guerschon Yabusele is reportedly close to returning to the NBA. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Yabusele appears to be heading to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Just in: Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele is in serious talks about a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources report @TheAthletic @Stadium. Yabusele is settling the settlement of his $2.5 million contract with Real Madrid and is close to returning to the NBA. pic.twitter.com/TRkVDfnLX5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 18 August 2024

En route to the silver medal with France, Yabusele averaged 14 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1 assist per game during the Olympics. In addition, he put up a 20-point performance against Team USA. Yabusele also shot 51.9% from the field throughout the Olympics.

The 2016 first-round pick previously played for the Boston Celtics until 2019. In a total of 74 games over two seasons, Yabusele averaged 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds.

76ers in “serious talks” to sign French Olympic star

What Guerschon Yabusele can bring to the Philadelphia 76ers

At the Olympics, Yabusele showed a lot of talent and an improvement from his time in the NBA. He has become a solid long-range shooter and is great at playing down low and in the post. For the 76ers, Yabusele can provide a lot of depth at the power forward position, which seems to be a weak spot for the team. How much he will play remains unclear. He played well at the Olympics and was named the EuroLeague MVP in 2023. It is clear that Yabusele can play basketball at a high level. Whether he becomes closer to the player everyone saw at the Olympics or the one who played for the Celtics will be worth watching. Regardless, it is an opportunity worthwhile for both the 76ers and Yabusele.

Guerschon Yabusele allegedly had another admirer

Before signing with the 76ers, Yabusele was linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but according to Chris Fedor, that seemed unlikely.

“Right now, Evan Mobley is the starting power forward, Georges Niang is the backup power forward and Dean Wade is also in the running for backup power forward. So I don’t know if Cleveland, with the current roster composition, is the team that would pay the $2.5 million severance package to sign (Yabusele) as the last player on the roster.”

Yabusele would have added depth to the Cavaliers, but as Fedor mentioned, he was not guaranteed a spot in the rotation.

Ultimately, Yabusele could be a good signing for the 76ers. He provides depth and should be a part of the rotation. Yabusele’s second tenure in the NBA will be exciting to watch.