Wizards bring back 15-year vet Taj Gibson after roster reshape

The Washington Wizards are re-signing forward Taj Gibson to a one-year deal worth $3.2 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Gibson will make the NBA’s league minimum for a player with at least ten years of experience.

The 38-year-old Gibson is entering his 15th season in the league. He appeared in 49 games last season with the Wizards. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.8 minutes.

Wizards have two too many players

Gibson gives the Wizards 17 guaranteed contracts as training camp approaches next month. The Wizards will have to offload two of those contracts, as the league allows a maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts on a roster.

Washington is amid a roster and culture reset. The team traded stars Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis during the summer. Jordan Poole, formerly of the Golden State Warriors, headlines a group of new players, including first-round draft pick Bilal Coulibaly.

The Wizards still have a logjam at guard despite trading Monte Morris to Detroit. In addition to Poole and Coulibaly, the Wizards have Tyus Jones, Ryan Rollins, and Delon Wright as point guards, and Landry Shamet and last year’s first-round pick Johnny Davis.

Wright is a likely option to move. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly expressed interest in Wright, but nothing has materialized.

The forwards include Kuzma, Danilo Gallinari, Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Anthony Gill, and Xavier Cooks.

Gallinari is also an option to move. Washington acquired the veteran forward in the Porzingis trade with Boston. He was previously considered a buyout candidate, but Gallinari plans to enter training camp with the Wizards.

Gill and Cooks could also be options to move on from. Washington has until Oct. 23 to finalize its roster.

Gibson can provide leadership to the Wizards locker room

Taj Gibson can provide backup center minutes behind Daniel Gafford and Mike Muscala. With options like Nerlens Noel, Noah Vonleh, Chris Silva, and some other younger options, the re-signing of Gibson is questionable, especially with going over the limit of maximum contracts.

Gafford has the starting center spot locked up. After that, having a veteran presence makes sense. Muscala more than likely will get the bulk of any available minutes. Having a veteran presence in the team is where Gibson will factor in.

“Taj has earned his reputation as a consummate professional and loyal teammate,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said in a statement. “We look forward to him adding to the competitive atmosphere when we begin training camp next month.”

Beal and Porzingis are gone. Kuzma is growing into a leadership role, and the Wizards expect Poole to add his experience from Golden State. Meanwhile, Gibson can control the locker room and be an extension of head coach Wes Unseld, Jr.

Gibson is a high-character guy. His leadership and experience can be more valuable than Gibson’s on-court contributions.