NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Taj Gibson
By John Buhler
Minnesota Timberwolves
West, Northwest
Why would Gibson want to go play for the team in the NBA that boasts the longest active playoff drought? There are so many reasons that Gibson should consider joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency. They are on the precipice of being good. Minnesota might even make the playoffs in 2018.
Not only do the Timberwolves have exciting young players like center Karl-Anthony Towns, small forward Andrew Wiggins and shooting guard Zach LaVine, but Gibson’s former head coach in Chicago Tom Thibodeau will be in his second year calling the shots on the hardwood in the Twin Cities.
Under Thibodeau, Gibson went from a rotational big off the bench to the biggest reason that the Bulls were cool with letting Joakim Noah walk in free agency last summer. Gibson knows exactly what would be expected of him in Minnesota. The Timberwolves will also be moving off big man Nikola Pekovic here soon.
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Since Gibson will be 32-years old next season, he can honestly enter the second half of his NBA career as the veteran presence down low on an on-the-rise team. Eventually, Towns and Wiggins are going to pop. Minnesota will separate and elevate in the Western Conference. It may take another year or so to reach the playoffs, but Minnesota is primed to be something special. If Gibson wants to be part of building greatness, Minnesota is the team he needs to sign with.