The Grizzlies plan to sign free agent big man Taj Gibson, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). In a full story for ESPN.com, Charania states that Gibson is signing a two-year deal with Memphis, though the second season seems likely to be non-guaranted.
Memphis is opening up a roster spot after reaching a buyout agreement with Kyle Anderson, who plans to sign with Minnesota.
Gibson, 40, appeared in 37 games with Charlotte last season, averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per contest. He had been out of the NBA this season, but the longtime veteran is widely respected around the league for his leadership and professionalism, Charania notes (via Twitter).
Gibson will join a Grizzlies club which has pivoted to a full-fledged rebuild after trading Desmond Bane last summer, struggling amid another wave of injuries in 2025/26, and then sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah earlier this month. The 6’9″ forward/center will serve as a mentor and add size to Memphis, which has several frontcourt players sidelined.
This will be Gibson’s 17th NBA season, and if he plays in a game for the Grizzlies, he will become just the 35th player in league history to appear in a game at age 40, per Charania.
How does he keep getting contracts, especially from tanking teams, over better guys who have more upside like Moses Brown, Dennis smith jr, kj Martin, Delon wright, Markelle Fultz dariq whitehead Bol bol
It’s ridiculous. The man is 40. It has to be a tanking strategy. There’s no other way to explain it. There’s so many younger guys that could use his spot.
“who have more upside like Moses Brown, Dennis smith jr, kj Martin, Delon wright, Markelle Fultz dariq whitehead Bol bol”
LOL if you think any of these guys have upside. They are all washed 27 year olds who are known commodities.
There is a lot more value in having an adult in the room, a player/coach to mentor the players with actual futures. Not bringing in has-beens who will act in their own self-interests to prolong their dwindling careers.
LOL at mentioning Bol Bol, who was last seen goofing off on the bench of a team that didn’t even make the Play-In. A player with incredible gifts & an NBA father, who squandered every opportunity handed to him. He is about as anti-Taj Gibson as there is. Which is why he signed in the Philippines this week.
My apologies as I see you snuck 21-year-old Dariq Whitehead in there.
Whitehead is shooting 34% in the G-League. He is not remotely close to even being a Two-Way contract level of player. Not even the 10th best guy on his own G-League team. Rather than do any type of homework, you just threw his name out there.
He averaged 8 points as a College freshman, declared early, and got hurt. Hardly the first project to have their career derailed by injury. He plays on the same GLG team as former first-rounder Zhaire Smith, for example, who is averaging 22 PTS on 54 FG%, which should signify how far away Whitehead is as an actual GLG level of player.
Taj Gibson could be FIFTY and he’ll still be a better option for an NBA team than Dariq Whitehead.
How is Taj still in the league but no one gives mac mcclung a chance
Mac McClung is on the Bulls
Mac McClung would also quite literally be the 12th guard on the Grizzlies.
In the age of countless cookie-cutter 6’6″ small forward G-League nobodies on two-way contracts, it’s refreshing to see a vet like Taj Gibson keep getting signed
Is Tom Thibodeau the HC?
Bklyn in the HOOoousse. Thibs favorite.
Taj is ah good teammate and mentor. Grizz not going anywhere. They just need bodies. Help if he can get to JA. Be more than worth it.