Guerschon Yabusele made a significant choice last offseason, ultimately opting to sign with the New York Knicks rather than the Denver Nuggets. This decision significantly influenced the trajectory of the Nuggets’ season as they subsequently acquired veteran center Jonas Valanciunas to support reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
Yabusele inked a two-year contract worth $11.7 million with the Knicks, but he struggled to make an impact, averaging just 8.9 minutes, 2.7 points, and 2.1 rebounds in 41 games primarily off the bench. His desire for more playing time led him to waive his player option for the following season, facilitating a trade to the Chicago Bulls at the deadline in a three-team deal that also involved the New Orleans Pelicans, who sent Jose Alvarado to New York.
According to insider Jake Fischer, Yabusele’s decision process nearly had him choosing Denver, a move that could have created a challenging scenario for the Nuggets. If he had joined the roster, they might have faced substantial production issues given Yabusele’s subpar performance.
Instead, the Nuggets swiftly pivoted to trade for Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings, which has proven beneficial for the team. Valanciunas is averaging 9.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.5 minutes off the bench, showing his effectiveness compared to Yabusele. Statistically, Valanciunas has outperformed Yabusele significantly with an offensive rating of 115.3 versus Yabusele’s 106.6 in extended play with the Bulls.
Defensively, the disparity is even more pronounced. While Valanciunas holds a defensive rating of 118.3, which is below average, Yabusele’s rating has plummeted to an alarming 127.9 with the Bulls, resulting in a net rating of -21.3. This significant deficiency further illustrates the challenges Denver avoided by not signing Yabusele, especially as the team deals with various injuries.
This outcome highlights the Nuggets’ fortunate decision-making process and emphasizes the importance of strategic player acquisitions in the highly competitive landscape of the NBA. As the season continues, Denver fans will be relieved that their front office navigated this situation wisely, keeping the team’s ambitions on track.