Timberwolves Free Agent Profile: Taj Gibson

It would surprise no one if the Timberwolves go after veteran power forward Taj Gibson in free agency this summer.

In case you haven’t already heard, Tom Thibodeau coached Taj Gibson while with the Chicago Bulls. And, Gibson would also help the Wolves defense and be a nice fit off the bench or perhaps even start next to Karl-Anthony Towns.

Gibson was drafted 26th overall by the Bulls out of USC in 2009. He played in Chicago until he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder during this past season. In 585 career games (including 245 starts), he has averaged 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 25.1 minutes.

Of course, the Wolves have not made the playoffs since the 2003-04 season and have not had a winning season since 2004-05, with a 44-38 record.

Lack of defense has played a huge role in that. Here are their defensive rankings since the beginning of the 2003-04 season:

2003-04: 89.1 points allowed per game (7th)

2004-05: 95.3 points (9th)

2005-06: 93.6 points (8th)

2006-07: 99.7 points (19th)

2007-08: 102.4 points (21st)

2008-09: 102.7 points (22nd)

2009-10: 107.8 points (29th)

2010-11: 107.7 points (30th)

2011-12: 100.1 points (25th)

2012-13: 98.1 points (tied for 15th)

2013-14: 104.3 points (26th)

2014-15: 106.5 points (30th)

2015-16: 106.0 points (tied for 23rd)

2016-17: 106.7 points (18th)

The Wolves have guys that can score in Andrew Wiggins, Towns and Zach Lavine. Shabazz Muhammad also has his moments where he can score as well.

Wiggins and Towns did not improve on defense as much as everyone hoped and expected, but continued experience and another year under Thibodeau will certainly help. Teams as a whole benefit more from second season under a new coach.

Given all the extra talent that has been brought into the league since the Wolves last playoff season, it certainly has made it tougher for teams to play defense, as well as fouls being called now a little more than before. Regardless, the Wolves really need to take steps forward defensively if they want to end the league’s longest playoff drought.

During Thibodeau’s five years with the Bulls, they were among the best defensive teams in the league. They were ranked second, first, third, first, and ninth in the league. Joakim Noah and Gibson played critical roles in the team’s defense during those seasons.

You can only imagine how frustrating this season was for Thibodeau.

From isportsweb.com:

"In the 16 games [Gibson] started with the Thunder, he registered a defensive rating of 101.5. During the playoff series against an offensively efficient Houston Rockets team, he averaged a 101.1 defensive rating."

In addition to helping their defense, Gibson would also give the Wolves the veteran presence they need and help their struggling bench. Though he is not known for his offense, he also has a career shooting percentage of 49.5 and displays solid athleticism.

https://twitter.com/NotARoleModeI/status/755158290347220992

The Wolves will continue to improve going forward with the continued development of their young players, but the addition of Gibson could finally help them get to the playoffs. One off-season addition won’t do the trick, but he would definitely be a step in the right direction.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns Can Stop The Golden State Warriors

According to hoopsrumors.com, the Wolves could have a maximum of $32,037,943 in cap space. That should be enough for them to sign Gibson and a couple other free agents.