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NY Knicks: Re-visiting the 2019 free agent class one year later

By Andrew Pistone

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mar 10, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) and New York Knicks center Taj Gibson (67) battle for a loose ball in the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Taj Gibson: 2 Years, $20 Million

Grade: C+

Commentary: The relatively low grade is mostly due to factors outside of his control. It’s not Gibson’s fault that the coaching staff decided to prioritize giving Gibson considerable playing time over Mitchell Robinson, which was questionable considering the Knicks were not going to make the postseason anyway.

Gibson has been a viable big man in the league for many years, and there was an element of security to his resume that could have been comforting for Steve Mills and Scott Perry at the time. While the upside at this point of his career is pretty limited, there was something to be said for knowing what type of effort he would bring day in and day out. Perhaps Robinson, who’s still a very young player, wasn’t unleashed last season due to foul trouble woes and the fact that the coaching staff could bank on Gibson’s toughness and discipline from game to game.

But Gibson is fully aware and accepting of the fact that Robinson has the chance to become a special player.

His intrinsic value has a chance to increase this upcoming season, as he’s the only player currently on the roster who has spent considerable time playing under Tom Thibodeau, which might entice the Knicks to guarantee the final season on his contract, or waive him and re-sign him at a cheaper rate. When Gibson and Thibodeau were together with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thibs had some glowing things to say about the big guy.

"“If your schedule is heavy, he’s still got a big smile on his face,” Thibodeau said via the Star Tribune. “He’s a great teammate and lifts everyone up,” Thibodeau said. “It’s just part of who he is. He never takes a possession off and he’s selfless, he’ll do whatever the team asks him to do, whether you start him, finish with him, all the dirty work. Those things are invaluable.”"

Bringing Gibson back could have a positive effect on the team this season, given he is deployed properly.

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