The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Guerschon Yabusele
PF - 6’8, 260lbs - 22 years old - 1 year of experience
Yabusele was mostly a G-League and garbage time player this season, averaging 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 3.1 turnovers per game for the Maine Red Claws. He shot 36.4% from three in the minors on slightly more than six attempts per game - for all the power in Yabusele’s frame, it seems he’d rather do that.
Fair enough. As long as he can defend the position. Again, the tools - the strength, the size, the mobility - lend themselves well to him being able to do this down the road. Yabusele makes good plays on the ball and competes, and has the potential to be a good switcher on all positions. There are quite a few positional errors currently, which can and likely will be coached out. There is no rush here, as long as there is progress.
Offensively, Yabusele seems to mostly project as a catch-and-shoot three-point player, opening up pick-and-pop possibilities. A bit more rolling and cutting to go with that will make for a good offensive package. The beauty of the pick-and-pop plays, though, is that Yabusele sets some proper meaty screens that really do create some separation from the defence. In the era of everyone slipping everything, that is kind of fun to see. It bodes well for his desire to take contact, too.
So, another year split between the Red Claws and Celtics looks likely for Yabusele, who has a lot of seasoning to do. But he is worth seasoning and developing.
Player Plan: Three years of rookie scale salary remaining. Hopefully the ambitious plans for an extra superstar do not preclude Yabusele being a part of things going forward. But move if necessary in this context, otherwise keep and develop.
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PF - 6’8, 260lbs - 22 years old - 1 year of experience
Yabusele was mostly a G-League and garbage time player this season, averaging 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 3.1 turnovers per game for the Maine Red Claws. He shot 36.4% from three in the minors on slightly more than six attempts per game - for all the power in Yabusele’s frame, it seems he’d rather do that.
Fair enough. As long as he can defend the position. Again, the tools - the strength, the size, the mobility - lend themselves well to him being able to do this down the road. Yabusele makes good plays on the ball and competes, and has the potential to be a good switcher on all positions. There are quite a few positional errors currently, which can and likely will be coached out. There is no rush here, as long as there is progress.
Offensively, Yabusele seems to mostly project as a catch-and-shoot three-point player, opening up pick-and-pop possibilities. A bit more rolling and cutting to go with that will make for a good offensive package. The beauty of the pick-and-pop plays, though, is that Yabusele sets some proper meaty screens that really do create some separation from the defence. In the era of everyone slipping everything, that is kind of fun to see. It bodes well for his desire to take contact, too.
So, another year split between the Red Claws and Celtics looks likely for Yabusele, who has a lot of seasoning to do. But he is worth seasoning and developing.
Player Plan: Three years of rookie scale salary remaining. Hopefully the ambitious plans for an extra superstar do not preclude Yabusele being a part of things going forward. But move if necessary in this context, otherwise keep and develop.
