The Knicks have waived big man Taj Gibson ahead of Sunday’s salary guarantee deadline, the team announced (X links).
Gibson signed a non-guaranted, minimum-salary contract with the Knicks on Dec. 15 and appeared in 10 games with the club, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per night.
Initially expected to merely provide some frontcourt depth and locker room leadership, the 38-year-old saw more playing time than anticipated due to injuries to centers Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims.
However, with Sims healthy again and Precious Achiuwa added to the roster in last weekend’s OG Anunoby trade, Gibson once again found himself pushed down the depth chart – he hadn’t played at all since Monday.
Gibson’s release doesn’t necessarily mean the Knicks are done with him for the season. He could return on a 10-day contract or two and if the team still has an open roster spot after the trade deadline comes and goes, he’d be an obvious candidate for a rest-of-season deal.
According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, New York decided to part with Gibson for now to create some additional roster flexibility ahead of the trade deadline, since the club expects to continue to be active.
Gibson had been one of two players on the Knicks’ roster who was on a non-guaranteed contract for 2023-24. The other one, Ryan Arcidiacono, will be retained and will have his full $2,528,233 salary (and $2,019,706 cap hit) guaranteed, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic (X link).
Assuming he clears waivers, Gibson will count for $477,630 in dead money on the Knicks’ salary cap.
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