Taj Gibson is the epitome of a professional and a team player. Throughout the entire season, he was the rock that held the Wolves together. He took the rookies and younger players under his wing, he was active and engaged in practices and shootarounds and he did whatever the team needed from him every day.
When Dario Saric came in midseason, Interim Head Coach Ryan Saunders made the decision to bring Gibson off the bench. Saunders expected it to be a difficult conversation. After all, Gibson had started for the better part of the last two seasons. Gibson, though, made it clear to Saunders that he would accept his bench role with grace and his trademark work ethic.
Gibson is the kind of player that will have a role in the NBA as long as he wants one. He could definitely pivot to coaching right after his playing career ends. That time isn’t coming soon though—Gibson proved this season that he still has a valuable skillset even in a changing league.