International events often leave a lasting impact. It's common for player transfers to skyrocket after major competitions like the Olympics, continental championships, or world tournaments, especially in basketball and soccer. When a star emerges, their value increases, and teams scramble to secure their services, much like bidding for a masterpiece. The latest sensation is Real Madrid’s powerful and versatile forward, Guerschon Yabusele.

His performance in the Olympic Games, where he overshadowed even the supposed star of the French team, Victor Wembanyama, has left many American fans in awe, particularly those who witnessed his brilliance at Paris 2024. His remarkable displays have fueled curiosity among those unfamiliar with him: "Who is France's number 7?" Initially, Yabusele had a slow start, with fewer minutes under coach Vincent Collet. However, in the final rounds, ‘Yabu,’ as he is affectionately known, truly exploded onto the scene.

He shone brightest in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals against Canada (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Germany (17 points and 7 rebounds), respectively. Additionally, in the match against the United States—a stage Wembanyama aimed to dominate after a rather disappointing tournament, especially in shooting statistics—Yabusele surprised everyone by scoring 20 points, catching the Dream Team off guard as they seemed unaware of Real Madrid’s star.

This newfound recognition is largely due to his previous stint in the NBA, which was far from as successful as his journey through Europe. In Europe, he has won 2 ACB Leagues, 3 Spanish Supercups, and crowned his three-season stay in Madrid with the 2023 EuroLeague title.

Many people don't know that Yabusele was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2016. The Frenchman, born in Dreux, began his career in the French league before making a curious move to China. A year later, after being drafted, he joined the Celtics, where he played only 74 games across two seasons, averaging just 7 minutes per game in a minor role—a player relegated to what Americans call ‘garbage time'—.

Unhappy with his role, Yabusele took a step back to move forward. After his experience in Asia, he signed with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in China. But when Real Madrid came knocking, he saw an opportunity to return to Europe, doubting if he would ever cross paths with the NBA again.

"I want to go back to the NBA, but I play for the best team in Europe and win titles. Why leave that to sit on a bench over there?" Yabusele reflected in June on the 'First Team' podcast, expressing his happiness at Real Madrid and praising the club. However, opportunities like this only come once, and Yabusele has seen the 76ers as his golden ticket.

With a stronger reputation than when he first entered the league as a rookie, Yabusele now joins a super-team featuring the iconic French 'traitor' Joel Embiid, the emerging star Tyrese Maxey, and the blockbuster addition of superstar Paul George. In Philadelphia, he will also share minutes in court with respected veterans such as Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry.

Yabusele’s contract with Real Madrid included a $2.5 million (€2.2 million) buyout clause to return to the NBA, which he has now activated. Unlike traditional transfers, the full amount isn’t covered by the team, or at least not entirely. NBA franchises have a cap of $850,000 (€769,000) for buyout clauses. The remaining $1.5 million (€1.3 million) must be negotiated between Yabusele and Real Madrid, without any contribution from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Unless Madrid decides to waive part of the debt, Yabusele will have to cover the difference himself, although in the long run, he will likely benefit, as NBA salaries typically offer significant improvements over those in Europe. In fact, Woj announced that he would sign for $2.1 million, (€1.9 million) not including tax benefits and the option of opting for an NBA pension, which is obtained with three years of experience in the league. This canon offers medical insurance to the entire family, as well as $60,000 (€54,000) annually, starting at age 62.

In summary, Yabusele’s departure leaves coach Chus Mateo’s team in a tough spot, forcing them to scour the market for solutions. They often excel at finding former NBA players, and Yabusele is a prime example. Talks have reportedly begun with a familiar face to the league, Latvian forward Davis Bertans, according to journalist Matteo Andreani. The 31-year-old power forward played two years with Baskonia before embarking on an NBA career spanning five teams over eight seasons.

Bertans’ last stop was with the Charlotte Hornets, who waived him on 6 July. Without a team, the 7-footer with a strong shooting ability and solid interior presence is a real and intriguing option for Real Madrid, and his arrival seems increasingly likely as Yabusele's replacement.

This isn't the first time a player has left Madrid by activating their NBA buyout clause; players like Facu Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, and Usman Garuba have done the same in the past five years. Curiously, all of them—save for Garuba, whose return is still pending—came back to the Real Madrid roster. Fate, with its twists and turns, seems to have a knack for closing circles. Will Yabusele eventually be another name on that list?