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Minnesota Timberwolves: Bringing back Taj Gibson would be a smart move

By Nick Crain

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 28: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the San Antonio Spurs during the game on November 28, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 28: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the San Antonio Spurs during the game on November 28, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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With the Minnesota Timberwolves having an extremely young roster and head coach, bringing back Taj Gibson on a cheap contract would be beneficial.

With all three of the Minnesota Timberwolves most experienced players in Taj Gibson, Luol Deng, and Anthony Tolliver set to be free agents this summer, they need to consider bringing one of them back to be the team veteran next season. Of these three players, Taj Gibson probably has the most left to offer to the Timberwolves based on his skill-set.

Coming off of a solid year with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2018-19 season, Taj Gibson is an unrestricted free agent. The past two seasons in Minnesota, he made a combined $28 million.

At 33 years old and towards the end of his career, Gibson is no longer worth the type of money he has made in recent years. If he is looking for one last payday, the Timberwolves should not even consider bringing him back.

However, if Taj Gibson is willing to sign a cheap contract, Minnesota should try their best to bring him back onto the roster. The veteran leadership and locker room presence he brings to the table is important to have on a young team. The Timberwolves young core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggings, Tyus Jones, Dario Saric, and Josh Okogie are all under 24 years old. Robert Covington, who is also a key piece to their success, is only 28 years old.

Not only is their roster young, but recently hired head coach Ryan Saunders is now the NBA’s youngest at 33 years old. Between the young roster and young, inexperienced head coach, having a veteran like Taj Gibson would be extremely beneficial.

In the 2018-19 season, Gibson produced 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in just 24.1 minutes per game. After not having a 3-point shot the majority of his career, he was actually a pretty reliable shooter from deep for his position at 32.4 percent on the year.

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Will Taj Gibson look to get paid big or will he be willing to sign a cheaper deal to come back to Minnesota? If the Minnesota Timberwolves can bring back Taj Gibson on an economical deal, his veteran leadership and experience would be extremely useful for the young team.

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