Taj Gibson's $3.8 million salary for the upcoming season is not guaranteed, per HoopsHype, making him a cut candidate as Memphis trims to 15.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Taj Gibson carries a $3.8 million salary for the upcoming season that is not guaranteed, which makes him a candidate to be waived, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Friday.
Gibson signed a two-year deal with the Grizzlies in February. The first year was guaranteed through the end of last season. The second is not. Because the deal runs two years rather than one, the $3.8 million counts as Gibson's full cap hit and not the reduced charge a one-year minimum contract would carry.
Memphis reached a buyout agreement with Kyle Anderson on the day it signed Gibson, and Anderson later signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gibson appeared in 10 games after joining the roster and averaged 3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 9.7 minutes. He shot 46.2% from the field, 50.0% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free-throw line. Gibson missed four straight games in early April with a right foot injury. He returned April 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He had 6 rebounds and 1 assist in 7 minutes.
The season finale on April 12 in Houston was Gibson's only start of the year. He scored 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 19 minutes of a 132-101 loss.
Chicago drafted Gibson 26th overall in 2009 out of USC. He made the All-Rookie team that season. Gibson has played 17 seasons for eight franchises, 1,012 regular-season games, and 71 playoff games. He has averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He turned 41 on June 24.
When Gibson signed in February, he was the 35th player in league history to play a game after turning 40.
The Grizzlies have 19 players on standard contracts. The limit drops to 15 when the regular season starts. Second-round pick Richie Saunders has not signed as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Zach Edey is back on a rookie-scale option, and the six-team trade this month brought Isaiah Stewart in from the Detroit Pistons. The Golden State Warriors passed on matching a three-year, $30 million offer sheet for Quinten Post. Cameron Boozer went third overall in June, and Karim López went 21st. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Taylor Hendricks, GG Jackson II, Jerami Grant, and Kris Murray are all under contract.
Guards D'Angelo Russell and AJ Johnson are in the same group, Scotto reported. New Orleans has come up as a trade destination for Johnson.
The Grizzlies finished 25-57 last season.
