The Avery Bradley deal also cleared room for Guerschon Yabusele


While there's been some skepticism over the deal that sent Avery Bradley, and a 2nd-round pick, to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Marcus Morris to create the necessary space for the Celtics to sign Gordon Hayward to a max-contract there is a positive that I believe most C's fans can agree on - the cap space created enough room for Geurschon Yabusele to play in Boston this season:


Back in May, Celtics Director of Player Personnel Austin Ainge stated that the Celtics would definitely be bringing Ante Zizic to Boston for the upcoming season, but it wasn't clear until now that Yabulsele would be able to join the big club this year. Had the Celtics been crunched to sign Hayward anymore than they are then Yabusele likely would've been a cap casualty as the Celtics would have been forced to stash him overseas yet again rather than lose another player.

There's been a lot of intrigue around Yabusele, a 6'8 270 pound forward from France, who's game has drawn comparisons to Draymond Green. His quick hands and feet for his size have him projected to be a very good defender in the NBA and he comes with a solid outside shot in tow as well.

After being selected in the first round in last year's draft, 16th overall, Yabusele was subsequently stashed by the Celtics in China where he played for the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association). He showed enough promise in his year in China that if the NBA had re-drafted last year's class he would likely be selected in the top-5 according to Chad Ford of ESPN.

The Celtics added big man Aron Baynes yesterday with their Room Mid-Level Exception (RME) and now they don't have anything but minimum contracts that they can offer free agents. Being able to bring over Yabusele and hoping he can make an impact might be their best bet outside of making another trade to bulk up the front court.


Photo Credit - AP Photo

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