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NBA Free Agency 2017: 20 best players available

By John Buhler

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 21, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
12

Taj Gibson

Power Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

It’s interesting how this has all come about. Did we honestly think that Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Taj Gibson would be one of the biggest names to be hitting unrestricted free agency this summer? We all knew that he was a good player for Tom Thibodeau’s Chicago Bulls, but his increased availability now that he’s out of Chicago makes him all the more appealing.

While Gibson averaged just 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2016-17 split between Chicago and Oklahoma City, he is exactly the type of starting-level to rotational piece a great team will want in their frontcourt. Though he’s not really a jump shooter beyond 18 feet, Gibson is sound defensively, skilled in the low-post game offensively and a huge boost to any locker room that grabs him.

In short, Gibson might be one of the two best glue-guys to be hitting free agency this summer along with Golden State Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala. Gibson could go back to the Thunder, but we have to believe that spacing with him and the ‘Stache Brothers would be far too clunky to be competent.

Given the intangibles and reputation as a bruiser down low, Gibson is primed to be a guy that will be overpaid as the fourth or fifth starter on a contending level team. He could go to a team that is already a lock to make the NBA Playoffs and help get them to the Conference Finals. Gibson would also be a huge get for a team like Thibodeau’s Minnesota Timberwolves that are on the come-up as a young basketball team. He is exactly the veteran leader a team like the Timberwolves needs to get over the hump.

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