With what could be their last big roster move of the summer, the Knicks are adding a frontcourt Frenchman to the rotation.
Guerschon Yabusele, 29, who revived his career in the 2024 Olympics for France and then last season with the Sixers, agreed to a two-year deal Tuesday with New York, a source confirmed.
The contract is worth roughly $12 million with a player option in the second year, a source told The Post. It’ll exhaust the Knicks’ midlevel exception and hard-cap them at the second apron, meaning their player payroll can’t go above $207.8 million this season. Barring a trade, the rotation is set with Yabusele and another newcomer — Jordan Clarkson — coming off the bench.
Yabusele, according to sources, was among the Knicks’ targets at the trade deadline last season but stuck with the Sixers, finishing with averages of 11 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting an impressive 50.1 percent overall and 38 percent on treys.
The development of his outside shooting turned the 6-foot-9 Yabusele into a coveted floor spacer who is strong and physical. In his first NBA go-around, Yabusele flamed out quickly with the Celtics after being drafted with the No. 16 pick in 2016. He then logged multiple seasons overseas before a breakthrough at the Olympics, where Yabusele impressed against Team USA — including a memorable dunk over LeBron James — and helped France earn silver.
Yabusele was named to the Olympic tournament’s Second Team and parlayed that into a make-good contract last season with the Sixers, earning a larger role than anticipated after injuries again sabotaged Joel Embiid’s campaign. Yabusele played 70 games last season — starting 43 — while averaging 27.1 minutes.
His $12 million Knicks payday is the largest of his career.
With the Knicks, Yabusele is positioned for a prominent role as one of just a few frontcourt options — with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as the only other proven commodities. Yabusle is an upgrade, at least on paper, from last season’s duo of backup bigs, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims.
Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest NBA free agency signings, news and rumors.
Ariel Hukporti, a second-year center from Germany, is also in the mix for frontcourt Knicks minutes.
Yabusele turned down an offer from the Nuggets to sign with the Knicks, according to Hoopshype. His deal means New York is out on other potential free agent options, most notably Al Horford and Russell Westbrook. The Knicks, according to a source, were always unlikely to sign Westbrook, who wouldn’t have a consistent role in their rotation and isn’t the type of personality to sit comfortably on the bench.
Horford, a 39-year-old future Hall of Famer, is reportedly being targeted by the Warriors.
Yabusele is part of a growing French connection inside the Knicks, with recent draft picks Pacôme Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara on the roster.
The Knicks still haven’t hired a head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau one month ago, although they’re close to the finish line with Mike Brown returning for a second interview Tuesday.
Regardless of when a coach is named, the roster is basically set.
