{"id":157902,"date":"2026-02-28T13:36:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T13:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902"},"modified":"2026-02-28T13:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T13:36:38","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8confirm-taj-gibsons-triumphant-return-to-the-nba-shocks-fans-and-sparks-hope-in-chicago-after-years-away-the-beloved-bulls-veteran-is-back-and-his-return-could-be-exactly-what-the-te","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson’s Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring…ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mar<\/p>\n

\n
<\/article>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

TAJ GIBSON SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: A NEW CHAPTER IN HIS LEGENDARY NBA CAREER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taj Gibson, the long-time NBA veteran and beloved Chicago Bulls forward, isn\u2019t going anywhere. Despite being 40 years old and entering his 17th season in the league, Gibson has signed a two-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies<\/strong>, marking the next step in a career that\u2019s seen him suit up for a staggering eight different NBA teams<\/strong>. This includes his extensive time with the Chicago Bulls, where he spent over seven years contributing both on and off the court. According to Shams Charania of ESPN<\/strong>, Gibson’s signing with the Grizzlies represents his ongoing impact as one of the NBA’s most respected veterans.<\/p>\n

\n

A Rich NBA Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Taj Gibson’s illustrious NBA career spans over 17 seasons<\/strong>, with stops at some of the league\u2019s most notable teams. Aside from his years with the Bulls<\/strong>, Gibson has played for the Thunder<\/strong>, Timberwolves<\/strong>, Knicks<\/strong>, Wizards<\/strong>, Pistons<\/strong>, and Hornets<\/strong>. He now embarks on his next chapter with Memphis, adding the Grizzlies to the long list of organizations he’s impacted over his two-decade-long career.<\/p>\n

Gibson, who entered the 2025-26 season without a team<\/strong>, was coming off a relatively quiet year in Charlotte. During the 2024-25 season<\/strong>, Gibson averaged 11.1 minutes per game<\/strong> across 37 appearances<\/strong>, showing that while his role has shifted, he can still contribute in limited spurts. It\u2019s clear that his on-court effectiveness has diminished<\/strong> as the years have gone on, but his presence as a veteran leader in the locker room<\/strong> remains invaluable to any team.<\/p>\n

\n

A Key Addition for Memphis\u2019 Rebuild<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gibson’s signing with Memphis comes at an interesting time for the Grizzlies<\/strong>. With the team entering a period of significant roster overhaul, including the shocking trade of Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/strong>, the franchise is setting itself up for a new era. Much like his previous stops in Washington<\/strong>, Detroit<\/strong>, and Charlotte<\/strong>, Gibson was brought in not just for his ability on the court, but for his leadership qualities. His role will be less about high-scoring performances and more about providing guidance to a young roster navigating their own growing pains.<\/p>\n

This move also aligns with the Grizzlies\u2019 current uncertainty surrounding Ja Morant<\/strong>, who has been the subject of rumors regarding a potential trade. Morant<\/strong>, once the No. 2 overall pick, has faced questions about his future in Memphis. Adding Gibson as a stabilizing veteran presence could be crucial as the team moves forward through these uncertain times.<\/p>\n

\n

Gibson\u2019s Continued Play at 40<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Though Gibson\u2019s primary purpose in Memphis is likely as a mentor, he has proven he can still contribute on the court. Last season, despite his age, Gibson recorded a double-double against the Orlando Magic<\/strong> on February 12, 2025<\/strong>, showing he can still hold his own in limited minutes. In fact, Gibson played in six consecutive games off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets<\/strong> toward the end of the 2024-25 season, underscoring that he can still play a meaningful role in spurts.<\/p>\n

One of the most touching moments of the past season came when Gibson returned to Chicago<\/strong> and was met with the affection of Bulls fans<\/strong>. With the game well in hand, fans at the United Center<\/strong> started chanting for Gibson to check into the game, leading to an emotional moment between the veteran and the Chicago faithful. This was one of the many moments in Gibson\u2019s career where his leadership and character shone through.<\/p>\n

\n

Gibson\u2019s Legacy Continues<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Now with the Grizzlies<\/strong>, Gibson\u2019s legacy as one of the league\u2019s most respected veterans is far from over. If he plays even a single game in the 2025-26 season, he will officially become one of only 35 players in NBA history to play at 40 years old<\/strong>, a feat that is incredibly rare in the modern game, especially for a big man. Additionally, Gibson is currently tied for 158th on the all-time list with 1,002 career games<\/strong>. As of now, he stands as the 18th active player to surpass the 1,000-game milestone<\/strong>, further cementing his place among the NBA\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n

\n

Upcoming Chicago Reunion: A Warm Welcome Awaits<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gibson’s connection to Chicago<\/strong> is undeniable, and after his emotional reception during Derrick Rose\u2019s retirement ceremony<\/strong>, he\u2019s set to experience another heartfelt moment when the Grizzlies play the Bulls on March 16<\/strong>. In fact, Memphis and Chicago will face off twice in the final 22 games of the regular season, ensuring Gibson will have another chance to bask in the warmth of the Chicago fanbase<\/strong> who have followed his journey for over a decade.<\/p>\n

As the Grizzlies head into these matchups, Gibson will no doubt be motivated by the chance to reunite with a city that holds such a special place in his heart. The games will provide a bittersweet reminder of the years Gibson spent in Chicago<\/strong>, where he became a staple in the team\u2019s locker room and one of its most beloved players.<\/p>\n

\n

Looking Ahead: What\u2019s Next for Gibson and the Grizzlies?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s unclear how much Gibson will contribute on the floor for the Grizzlies<\/strong>, one thing is certain: his leadership and experience will be invaluable<\/strong> as Memphis navigates a crucial time in its franchise history. His role will likely remain that of a mentor, guiding young players through the rigors of an NBA season, and helping to provide the stability needed for a roster in flux.<\/p>\n

Taj Gibson\u2019s move to Memphis is a testament to his longevity in the NBA<\/strong>, a league where staying relevant for nearly two decades is a rare accomplishment. Whether he\u2019s scoring points or providing sage advice in the locker room, Gibson continues to prove that his value goes far beyond the stat sheet.<\/p>\n

The future of the Memphis Grizzlies<\/strong> remains uncertain, but with Gibson now in the fold, the franchise has added a steady, respected veteran to help guide them through their next chapter. For Gibson<\/strong>, it’s another opportunity to leave his mark, and for NBA fans<\/strong>, it\u2019s yet another reminder of just how much heart and passion he\u2019s poured into his 17-year journey in the league.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TAJ GIBSON SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: A NEW CHAPTER IN HIS LEGENDARY NBA CAREER Taj Gibson, the long-time NBA veteran and beloved Chicago Bulls… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":157903,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"TAJ GIBSON SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: A NEW CHAPTER IN HIS LEGENDARY NBA CAREER Taj Gibson, the long-time NBA veteran and beloved Chicago Bulls...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrLuu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrLuu\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/301df8231b74387730cd1ed513c32f69\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson’s Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring…ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/301df8231b74387730cd1ed513c32f69\",\"name\":\"MrLuu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc1fd3814c4cb3d1816165db2274a22bac8ad2b5452a36bf175d03eafdd0ecc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc1fd3814c4cb3d1816165db2274a22bac8ad2b5452a36bf175d03eafdd0ecc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MrLuu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=8\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","og_description":"TAJ GIBSON SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: A NEW CHAPTER IN HIS LEGENDARY NBA CAREER Taj Gibson, the long-time NBA veteran and beloved Chicago Bulls...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"MrLuu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MrLuu","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902","name":"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson's Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring...ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png","datePublished":"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-28T13:36:38+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/301df8231b74387730cd1ed513c32f69"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LUU-1.png","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157902#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udea8CONFIRM: Taj Gibson’s Triumphant Return to the NBA Shocks Fans and Sparks Hope in Chicago! After years away, the beloved Bulls veteran is back, and his return could be exactly what the team needs. Get ready for the energy and leadership that only Gibson can bring…ll\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/301df8231b74387730cd1ed513c32f69","name":"MrLuu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc1fd3814c4cb3d1816165db2274a22bac8ad2b5452a36bf175d03eafdd0ecc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc1fd3814c4cb3d1816165db2274a22bac8ad2b5452a36bf175d03eafdd0ecc5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MrLuu"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=8"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=157902"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157904,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157902\/revisions\/157904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/157903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=157902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=157902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=157902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}