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Taj Gibson, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are considering bringing back their former backup center Nerlens Noel. Two other teams, the Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets, have also shown interest in Noel, who was the 6th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
According to sources, the Knicks checked in on Noel before signing Taj Gibson to a second 10-day contract. Noel was well-liked by coach Tom Thibodeau and averaged a career-best 2.2 blocks per game during the 2020-21 season. Gibson’s second 10-day contract is coming to an end, and the Knicks will have to decide whether to sign him for the rest of the season.
Noel last played in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets. During his two seasons with the Knicks from 2020 to 2022, he played a crucial role as the backup center and even became a starter after Mitchell Robinson’s injury during the playoffs in 2021. He averaged 6.2 rebounds, 4.6 points, and 1.9 blocks in 89 games.
The Knicks will soon have to make a decision regarding Taj Gibson, as his second 10-day contract is expiring this week.
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Thibodeau Dodges Question on Gibson’s Future with Knicks
In a recent press conference, New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau remained non-committal when asked about Taj Gibson’s status with the team moving forward. Thibodeau deflected the question to team president Leon Rose, who has yet to make himself available to the media since his introductory press conference.
Thibodeau did mention that the Knicks have a couple of open roster spots and $2.5 million under the luxury tax. This suggests that they may be considering their options for the future.
The coach also provided an update on the team’s injured players. Thibodeau expects Bojan Bogdanovic, Donte DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein to be ready when the Knicks resume their season against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 22. He emphasized the importance of using the All-Star break to recharge and prepare for the upcoming games.
The status of Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, who are currently on the injury list, will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. Randle and Anunoby will undergo further evaluation in two weeks, while Robinson will begin on-court activities.
Amidst trade rumors surrounding LeBron James, the focus has turned to the Knicks, who have been accumulating draft capital in hopes of landing a superstar to complement their All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson. However, according to sources, the Knicks’ front office has not discussed the possibility of adding James. The team lacks the salary cap space required for such a move, and making moves to free up that kind of money would be seen as a setback to their long-term plan.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but for now, the Knicks seem to be focused on their current roster and upcoming games.
According to the Source heavy.com