The Phoenix Suns have a slim lead. Ryan Dunn is the only nighttime player who truly fits the dictionary description of “power forward,” and despite Dillon Brooks being able to fill out the four and Rasheer Fleming slowly starting to crack the rotation, the team could use some extra depth there.
Could Guerschon Yabusele of the New York Knicks be an option for the Suns at the deadline? It might not be the flashiest addition, but the Suns aren’t aiming for flash anyway. Additionally, a Nick Richards-for-Yabusele trade works outright, and the Suns appear to be looking for a trade partner to trade Richards and his expiring contract.
Of Jake Fischer’s recent reporting that the Knicks “…Have explored their options to increase frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well,” this could be a match made in Heaven.
A league-changing deal? Not so much! But a potentially beneficial one for both sides, and one that feels realistic as each player offers exactly what these teams are looking for. When these teams meet in the NBA Finals, things could get exciting, but that’s an issue for another day.
Guerschon Yabusele could be a perfect fit for this Suns team
There’s no other way to say this: Yabusele has been pretty bad this year. He signed a two-year deal with the Knicks this offseason after a stellar season with the Sixers in 2024-2025, but things just didn’t click for him in NYC.
But a change of scenery could do him some good, and a change of scenery to Phoenix could be just what he needs. Yabusele was so good with the Sixers last season because he hit three-pointers at a 38 percent clip and consistently outworked everyone on the floor. I’m not suggesting his efforts as a member of the Knicks have diminished, but I do think it would be great for the French power forward to be surrounded by a roster that has built its identity by caring more about its opponents.
The Phoenix Suns are not short on hustle players, but they are short on power forwards. Adding a guy who carved out a niche for himself in the NBA due to activities on defense (and a likable personality) can’t hurt, right? It seems like the perfect trade for depth pieces – assuming Yabusele can produce more than the 3 points and 2 rebounds per game he posted in New York, which I think is possible.
#Suns #opportunity #turn #Nick #Richards #muchneeded #play