The New York Knicks felt the need to add some frontcourt depth after losing Mitchell Robinson to an ankle injury for the foreseeable future.
To that end, they welcomed back familiar face Taj Gibson, signing the first-round pick from the 2009 draft to a one-year deal earlier this week.
Gibson, 38, played for the Knicks for three seasons (2019-22) and spent last season with the Washington Wizards. If anyone's familiar with what head coach Tom Thibodeau is looking for on the floor, it's Gibson: his first NBA days were spent alongside Thibodeau in Chicago (2009-17) and he later followed him to Minnesota (2017-19).
With his familiarity playing under Thibodeau, Gibson can simply step right into his role with the Knicks and not take any minutes away.
“I’m just here to be supportive. Not trying to take anybody’s shine,” Gibson said via Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. “I’m just here to be a great teammate. If my number is called, I’ll be ready, play hard. Just do what I have to do. That’s why I’m here.”
Gibson has played in garbage time in the last two Knicks' contests, and it's unlikely that he'll get consistent minutes unless there's another injury to a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or Jericho Sims. But having a veteran who knows how to play in Thibodeau's system and in big games down the line can never hurt a team like the Knicks that is trying to take the next step as a group.
The Knicks (14-11) return to action on Monday night when they face the Los Angeles Lakers to complete a Southern California doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
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