The Charlotte Hornets and forward/center Taj Gibson have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with forward/center, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Gibson, 39, is 6-foot-9 and entering his 16th season. He’s the same age as new Hornets coach Charles Lee, who turns 40 in November. The purpose of the signing is to give the otherwise young Hornets another veteran presence.
That’s something Gibson is no doubt willing to provide, having done the same briefly for the Detroit Pistons last season. He split time with the Pistons and New York Knicks, apeatring in just 20 games overall.
Still, Gibson was credited with helping the Pistons young big men. He has also spent time with the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards.
Along with Gibson, the Hornets added wing Josh Green and guard Reggie Jackson in a six-team trade (though Jackson’s status with the club seems in doubt). They also selected forward Tidjane Salaun with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and re-signed forward Miles Bridges to a three-year contract.
Charlotte finished 21-61 this past season, missing the playoffs. The Hornets are currently competing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
As for Gibson, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com wrote: “After spending the first seven seasons and some change with Chicago, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he would spend just part of one season. He then signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves before reuniting with Tom Thibodeau in New York with the Knicks.”
Free agent center Taj Gibson has agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets, Mark Bartelstein of @Prioritysports tells ESPN. GM Jeff Peterson and coach Charles Lee bring on Gibson, 39, to mentor in a young locker room. pic.twitter.com/pT1P2tnMEY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 13, 2024
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