From Marc Berman and Peter Botto:
After discussing reunions with big men Taj Gibson and Tyson Chandler, the Knicks appear to have settled on the one with multi-team ties to coach Tom Thibodeau.
The 6-foot-9 Gibson, who played for Thibodeau in Chicago and Minnesota, is expected to re-sign with the Knicks, according to a source, after they declined his $10 million team option in November. The Knicks have opened the season 5-3 despite operating with razor-thin depth up front due injuries to rookie Obi Toppin, Nerlens Noel and Omari Spellman, but they are likely to waive Spellman to facilitate Gibson’s return.
According to a person close to Gibson, 35, he’s been in Los Angeles since the start of the season and has worked out for seven teams, including the Wizards. The shortened free agency didn’t help Gibson as teams filled up their rosters quickly.
“He’s in shape,” the person said. “There’s no hard feelings. He knows it’s a business.”
According to an NBA source, the Knicks also had held internal talks about bringing back Chandler, a key to their 2012-13 team that won the Atlantic Division when current assistant Mike Woodson was head coach.
I imagine the end scene of Officer and a Gentlemen with Taj and Thibs reuniting. I’m unclear which one is Debra Winger in this scenario.
It’s funny that they even considered Chandler. Taj is pretty done, but Chandler is beyond done, I’m shocked that he’s still trying to keep playing. Dude won a title and made a ton of money, what more does he have to prove?
Gibson is a fine back-up back-up center. And luckily, Mitch has played so outstandingly that we don’t have to worry about Gibson suddenly starting over Mitch, which was my only concern about bringing Gibson back earlier.
Spellman…well, what can you say? Dude showed up way out of shape. It was pretty embarrassing on his part.