AUGUST 18: The Knicks have officially re-signed Gibson, per NBA.com’s transactions log.
AUGUST 17: The Knicks and veteran big man Taj Gibson have reached an agreement to adjust the terms of the deal they initially agreed upon two weeks ago, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Gibson, who had been set to sign a one-year, minimum-salary deal, will actually receive a two-year deal worth $10.1MM, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Wojnarowski.
The Knicks have been slowly completing their offseason signings, starting with Nerlens Noel, Kemba Walker, and – most recently – Evan Fournier. New deals for Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, and Gibson have yet to be announced as New York determines the best way to maximize its cap space.
We’ll have to wait for more details on the adjustment to Gibson’s deal, but it sounds as if the Knicks determined they were in position to accommodate a slightly more lucrative salary for the 36-year-old. It’s a win-win for Gibson, who gets rewarded for his locker-room leadership over the last two seasons, and for the Knicks, who will now have a more tradable contract on the books without sacrificing any real cap flexibility.
The Knicks will use their room exception to complete the signing, as Bobby Marks of ESPN confirms (via Twitter). That exception allows for a two-year deal worth $10,065,500. New York had Early Bird rights on Gibson, but renounced him earlier in free agency in order to maximize cap room.
Gibson appeared in 45 games for the Knicks during the 2020/21 season, averaging 5.4 PPG and 5.6 RPG in 20.8 minutes per contest. He figures to provide depth up front behind centers Mitchell Robinson and Noel next season.
Wow 5 Million a year. Was no one else available for the room exception.
Apparently no one was willing to sign with NY for just $5M/year.
Buuurn
He actually played very well for the Kincks last season, he’s Thibs boy
I won’t offer 2 year contract. I can only offer 1 year deal.
Knicks need cap space to sign free agents next year.
Lol I guess they did this without consulting you first.
Sorry you got forced to do it.
The commentary is always hilariously entertaining for all.
Bostock – ended way too early. I remember him when he played with Carew.
Money don’t matter when your over the cap next year. They bumped up his salary I’m pretty sure for trade purposes. They’re waiting on a Dame trade they’re gonna have to add over 40 million in salaries
I get the whole “we’re stacking contracts for Dame!” angle, but is 15m+ per year between Noel and Gibson really going to entice Olshey to make the trade?
A lot of money for backup 5’s in a league where half the time when you get to the playoffs you can’t even play a 5.
For sure it has some tricks trade-helper
No one is left. Maybe they want to use his salary in a trade later in the season.
Good use of the Room Exception. Gets him $$ and gets the team a better contract, all with $$ they have little other use for. Aller has been as good as advertised as a cap guy.
Payout for last years work. Did way more that what he received. Good locker room presence and decent back up center, though third in depth. $5M per is a bit excessive, but a payout nonetheless.
I’m happy for Gibson and great guy to have in case of an injury. He’s definitely more valuable at end of the bench than Haslem.
Problem is the entire team is made up of backup players. Be lucky to get an 8th seed.
The Knicks are starting to turn things around that’s all you can ask for. I wasn’t too thrilled with the draft picks but after watching summer league the rookies look great. Several young players with lots of energy.
Strategy could be them building up the bench just before dipping for a big FA next year. Deep on a Thibs team is important. Thibs just needs to use them.
Yeah that’s the thing w/ these moves. I think some of the contracts are rich, but leaving that aside, are we going to be seeing Noel and Gibson at the expense of Obi?
I think they’re insurance policies, especially Gibs. Noel is needed in case Robinson gets injured (I’d anticipate it), but I think Obi will get more if he can win Thibs’ confidence.
It’s not excessive. If they make a trade, they can use this contract to offset a hefty $5M of the trade value disparity. The actual $$ is peanuts to this club; this is a win in terms of playing the cap.
Thibs takes care of his guys. That’s why they play for him. They also sell his philosophy. Only the uneducated wannabes can’t get that. Good to have you back Taj. Native NYer
The guy who said Knicks wouldn’t win 23gms. Still has the eggs to come back here and hate. Start could ting the Days when we get a new NAME change. Cause Wood ain’t lasting the year.
I got a name for you lol.
HardenshortsWestbrookshortsCP3shortsISalliGot.
Only the uneducated New Yorkers wouldn’t see Tibawho records get worse after the first year. His style wears thin. Great to have all these “ bench/role” players but 1 free agent is not t urning this turd team around. Plus how many times can you be rejected by a star to realize nobody wants to pa,y for Dolan as an owner. Self implosion is only hours away. Continue to live the NY fantasy. Be happy make your 6-8 and lose in the first round till the end of time.
Not a bad signing honestly. Dude puts in work. Also is going to be one of those experienced players that the younger guys can learn from about leadership and work ethic. Stats have fallen off a touch, but guy can ball and will be a good locker room presence.
Not every signing is going to be earth shattering. You need these kind of guys too in the lineup.
I think it’s laughable that people on here think Knicks are an 8 seed…please name the 7 teams that are better…don’t say Boston they got worse…don’t say Indiana they did nothing….depending how the Ben Simmons situation shakes out Philadelphia stays even…Miami Milwaukee and Atlanta are tough…If the Bulls come together they’ll be decent Charlotte could be the dark horse this year like Knicks last year….Brooklyn probably winning the East if healthy…Knicks are top 6 probably top 4 again…and the future is bright Toppin and Quickley McBride and Grimes all shined in summer league…Mitch if healthy is playing for a contract this year
Imo, the East is just as good as the West this year
*West does have the bigger inj concerns Murray KL Klay as well that affect 3 of the top 6 teams potentially which helps even it out in my eyes
I see Mil Brk Mia Philly ATL top 5 (no order)
6-10 I could see any of Bos Nyk Chi Wiz Cha Indy or even Tor all mixing around in no particular order – Some real tough teams in that group, should be a {fun} dogfight all year long
I could easily see Knicks being a better team this year but having a lower seed going into the playoffs –
I think that would be ok for NYK tho next year as I think they value internal growths more than external at the moment …tho I certainly could be wrong that city has a strong gravitational pull
Knicks were a fourth seed last yr. With mostly effort and playing together. RJ is still getting g better. Randle is an all star, he’s legit. This yr Mitch is back. We added 38 pts a gm in Walker and Fournier. We added shooters that helps our offense run better. Helps Randle and RJ get to rim. Knicks added two guys in draft. That can crack the rotation. Toppin is looking like the lottery pick he was. He’s in much better shape and shooting the ball.
Now I’m not expecting 4th seed. I know East is better. But I know Knicks come to play. We will show up . I know Knicks are going to fight for top 4. We are a better than last yrs team. And still getting better. I know they are capable of top 4. And it’s just going to be a great yr watching them do it. Just remember, it’s only the second yr of coach Thibs.
SECOND YEAR coming. Get informed cause we coming. “In Thibs We Trust”
Absolutely not top 4. Count your blessings for the 5th seed this time around and the Heat will give you a run for that.
I expect the Heat and Celtics to be in the mix this yr.
As I’ve said many times before, Taj Gibson has long been a favorite of mine, since his rookie year, and I personally think he has been criminally underrated for most of his career. Good for him
It’s because he was originally 24 years old when drafted. Before that I believe he served some years in the military.
No, he didn’t.
He was an old rookie, and yes he has a military background
Tom taking care of his player for loyalty, hard work, and trust….. Knicks are definitely building something!