Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Detroit Pistons have signed forward Taj Gibson for the remainder of the season.
Taj Gibson is signing a deal for the rest of the season with the Detroit Pistons, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Gibson — who’s finishing up a 10-day deal — is completing his 15th NBA season. He’s expected to sign on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/HPYGmwWUKn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2024
Gibson had previously been on a 10-day contract with the Pistons. Despite joining the team on March 6, Gibson has yet to play a game for the Pistons. Earlier in the season, Gibson had two separate stints with the New York Knicks. In 16 total games played this season, the 38-year-old is averaging 1 point and 1.8 rebounds over 10.3 minutes per game.
Detroit Pistons Sign 15-Year NBA Veteran for Remainder of Season
What Taj Gibson Brings to the Detroit Pistons
Despite not seeing a second of action with the Pistons, this does not mean Gibson’s stint there has been uneventful. Off the court, Gibson’s veteran leadership has made an impact on the team. Most notably, former No. 2 overall draft choice James Wiseman has learned a thing or two from Gibson:
“It’s a short time but he’s given me a lot of confidence, always speaking to me. Always telling me to play my game, play free out there, and play with a clear mind,” Wiseman said.
Furthermore, when the Pistons signed Gibson, head coach Monty Williams talked about enjoying the team bringing in another veteran:
I just like having another veteran guy around our team. We look at Evan and how he’s had an impact on the floor and in some other areas. Taj is an example of how you handle your business on the court, it can pay dividends in other areas.
Detroit Pistons broadcast captures this awesome moment between James Wiseman and Taj Gibson on the bench
When the work is starting to turn into results… pic.twitter.com/MrCmzBHNsa
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) March 12, 2024
It may not be official yet, but it’s pretty obvious the 12-54 Pistons will miss the playoffs this year. Because of this, there is no desperate need for the 15-year NBA player Gibson to crack the team’s rotation. Furthermore, even though he may not suit up for the rest of the season, it’s clear Gibson’s presence as a veteran is providing a huge boost for the Pistons and their young guys.
Taj Gibson’s Next Chapter: Coaching?
Although nothing’s confirmed, Gibson may have already played his final NBA game. Gibson’s roles have steadily decreased over the past few years. As it stands, it’s tough to imagine he’s a highly sought-after player at this stage in his career. That being said, his time around the league makes him useful to NBA teams beyond his playing abilities. A few months ago, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau talked about his respect for Gibson and the possibility of him becoming a coach after he retires from the game:
He knows how I feel about that. We always have a spot for him. It’s an open door. We will see how everything unfolds going forward. I think he still has something left in the tank. I think he’s going to be a terrific coach when that time comes, as well. We’ll see how everything goes.
Furthermore, back in 2021, Gibson talked about the idea of becoming a coach in the league:
I’m just happy to still be in this league. I’m just going to ride it until they tell me they don’t want me to play anymore, I guess, but until then I’m just going to keep playing hard and do what I have to do. But I’m always ready, and I’m ready to be a coach one day.”
For now, it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for the current Pistons forward.
