New York Knicks: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
Taj Gibson signing
Would it be a free agency period without the New York Knicks handing out a head-scratching contract? Early on in the free agency process, the Knicks jumped on Taj Gibson and the two sides agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal.
At first glance, this isn’t a horrible deal. Gibson is the type of hard-working veteran the organization wants around their young players. He should provide valuable experience and leadership in a locker room that needs it.
However, it is fair to ask whether this was money that could have been better allocated elsewhere.
Gibson makes for an awkward fit on the roster. Yes, he can play backup center, but so can Bobby Portis and Julius Randle. With New York wanting to develop Mitchell Robinson, he will receive plenty of minutes as well.
The power forward spot has a logjam as well, as Randle, Portis, Marcus Morris, Kevin Knox and Ignas Brazdeikis can all play there as well.
Gibson is a hard worker and will fill a need for the Knicks as a mentor and leader on the roster. But was he worth the money they paid him, especially that early on in free agency given the other players they were targeting?
Of all of the free-agent signings, this is arguably the least impressive one. He will probably take over the role that Lance Thomas has filled on the team in recent years as the elder statesman that the younger players can rely on for guidance.
But those are usually guys you pay the minimum or mid-level exceptions to, not $10 million annually. The one positive is that the second year of this deal is a team option, so the Knicks can clear that cap space if need be.