Memphis Grizzlies big man Taj Gibson still has a lot to offer, even if his best days on the floor are behind him.
In the middle of the 2025-26 season, the Memphis Grizzlies signed journeyman big man Taj Gibson to a two-year contract, extending his lengthy NBA career.
While Gibson, 40 at the time of the deal, didn't log heavy minutes after coming aboard, he quickly provided something valuable in its own right: veteran leadership.
As of now, he remains in the fold in Memphis, and former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague believes that says something about the Grizzlies as an organization.
"Everybody don't hold veterans at the same level," Teague said during an episode of Club 520. "I mean, like Taj Gibson still being in Memphis, that mean they hold a veteran at a high level (to) teach the young guys. Not every team look at it that way."
The Grizzlies have Gibson under contract through the 2026-27 season, but his salary isn't guaranteed, which makes him a candidate to be waived given the team's roster crunch. That will be something to monitor, but Memphis clearly valued him enough to bring him in last season, and given its young core, keeping him around for another year might be wise.
On the floor, the New York native made just 10 appearances with the Grizzlies last season after signing his deal. He posted modest averages of 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.7 minutes of action per contest. His impact as a teammate, however, was praised.
If the Grizzlies retain him for the upcoming season, it's a safe bet that he will not be heavily featured in the rotation. Instead, the 41-year-old will look to tap into his 17 years of NBA experience to help guide his teammates as a veteran voice. That can be invaluable for a rebuilding team.
That type of role isn't unheard of, either. Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem rarely saw the floor over the final several years of his NBA career, but he remained on the Heat roster simply for his leadership. Gibson could see the floor this season a little more often than Haslem did late in his career, but the overall idea would be the same.
This is also the first season of the Cameron Boozer era in Memphis. Boozer, only 19, is going to be navigating a lot of challenges for the first time, and he's facing high expectations as the next face of the franchise. Gibson has been around the block and certainly has a lot of wisdom he could share with Boozer and company.
If Gibson does end up on Memphis' roster when the season begins, it will further support the idea that the team truly values veteran leadership, and the second-oldest player in the NBA (behind only future Hall of Famer LeBron James) will get a chance to play an 18th season.
