3 Former Knicks fan favorites who are still available in free agency
1: Taj Gibson
Are there any fans that are open to the idea of New York signing Taj Gibson to a veteran’s minimum deal to back up Julius Randle? That’s only partly a joke. It would be the most Knicks move ever to sign Gibson again after he spent the 2021-22 season with the Wizards.
The New York native spent three seasons with the Knicks before he was waived last summer to help clear up cap space, but it was thought that he could return to the team on a lesser contract. Instead, he signed with Washington and averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 49 games this past season.
Gibson has spent 14 seasons in the league and although his play has understandably declined, his veteran presence is a valuable one to have. And as Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said, Gibson will find a way to get minutes. He’s the type of player that coaches, players, and fans love to have around.
At 38 years old, Gibson doesn’t have a lot left in his tank. He’s an unrestricted free agent and could be signed by a new team to take on a mentorship role, or he could decide to retire. Gibson’s made it known that after he decides to hang it up, he’d like to be a coach. It’d be a full circle moment to one day see him on the Knicks’ coaching staff, but as he’s said, if he’s still wanted, he’s going to continue to play.
