It took longer than expected, but the New York Knicks finally did it. After trading Obi Toppin over the offseason and not adding another frontcourt player, the Knicks decided to bring back a familiar face after the first quarter of the 2023-24 season.
Josh Hart has been Julius Randle's primary backup, a role he admitted he's struggled in. Hart has since had more success offensively, scoring in double digits in four out of New York's last six games.
However, now that Mitchell Robinson is out for at least eight to 10 weeks, the Knicks' frontcourt depth is even thinner, so they called on a 38-year-old veteran.
Taj Gibson spent the 2022-23 season with Washington after New York waived him to clear cap space for Jalen Brunson. The Wizards re-signed Gibson over the summer but waived him before the start of the season. He's been a free agent for a little less than two months, but at long last, he's back with the Knicks.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday afternoon that Gibson is back in New York on a one-year deal.
Free agent F/C Taj Gibson is returning to the New York Knicks on a one-year deal, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. With Mitchell Robinson sidelined with an injury, Tom Thibodeau has back one of his favorites. Gibson’s played for Thibodeau with the Bulls, Wolves,… pic.twitter.com/TmVTe9G5wb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 13, 2023
Knicks sign Taj Gibson to one-year deal in wake of Mitchell Robinson injury
New York fans knew something was up when the Knicks PR X account tweeted that the team had waived Dylan Windler.
Knicks waive Dylan Windler
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) December 13, 2023
Two minutes later, Woj reported Taj Gibson was back. Tom Thibodeau will get to reunite with his all-time favorite player he's coached.
Thibs when his froncourt depth is getting thin pic.twitter.com/310XCrsMhs
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) December 13, 2023
Although this is Gibson's 15th season in the league, he'll be a serviceable backup for the Knicks. In the 49 games he played for the Wizards last season, he averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Because the news was just reported, it's still unclear when Gibson will join the team. New York kicks off its four-game road trip out West on Wednesday in Utah and will be in Phoenix on Friday. Maybe he'll be on the bench for Friday's game against the Suns.
Knicks fans don't agree on much, but one thing that unites the fan base is their love for Taj Gibson. Welcome home!
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