The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to sign unrestricted free agent power forward Taj Gibson to a contract worth $28 million over two years. The deal cannot officially be signed until the end of the NBA’s moratorium period on July 6th.
Shams Charania of The Vertical broke the news late Sunday morning:
Free agent Taj Gibson has agreed to a two-year, $28M deal with Minnesota, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2017
Taj Gibson Agrees to Two-Year Contract With Minnesota Timberwolves
Gibson’s new contract will take him through the 2018-19 season.
Gibson averaged 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season as a member of both the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls dealt Gibson just before February’s trade deadline, along with Doug McDermott, for Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, and Joffrey Lauvergne. Gibson immediately made an impact for the Thunder, starting in 16 of the 23 games that he played. Though Gibson’s counting stats went down after being traded, so did his minutes, dropping from 27 to 21 per game in the Thunder’s crowded frontcourt.
Gibson is a tough and proven veteran with playoff experience that could help any team, regardless of whether or not it’s a contender. Gibson will certainly bring that veteran presence to Minnesota and help mold the T-Wolves’ younger players. He’s also heading into a familiar situation, having played several seasons under Minnesota’s current head coach, Tom Thibodeau, in Chicago.
Heading into his 10th season in the league, Gibson played his first eight and a half with Chicago before being traded to the Thunder midway through last season. The Bulls selected Gibson 26th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.
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