4. Decline Taj Gibson’s Option
Taj Gibson signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the New York Knicks last offseason. Entering 2020-21, the Knicks should decline Gibson’s option to clear $10 million in salary-cap space.
The 35-year old center played 62 games, making 56 starts, last season for the Knicks. Gibson averaged 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 16.5 minutes per game. That was an expected level of production at this stage in his NBA career, but it’s not enough, nevertheless.
This is cap space that New York can use to add another veteran or two on a cheaper deal. Gibson does not fit into the plan moving forward so the team needs to cut ties now. Even though he has ties to new head coach Tom Thibadeau, it’s too hefty a price for veteran leadership.
During the upcoming season, the Knicks have Mitchell Robinson and Bobby Portis who can play the center position. They are both more productive than Gibson and could split time throughout the course of any given game.
