Veteran forward Taj Gibson has ended his NBA playing career following his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, moving into an assistant coaching position with the Chicago Bulls. The Grizzlies, who signed Gibson mid-season, are currently struggling, having lost their last five games, including a 132-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on April 13, 2026.
The Memphis Grizzlies became the final stop in Taj Gibson's 17-year NBA journey. He joined the team in February of the 2025-26 season, providing veteran leadership for a young roster. His on-court time was limited, appearing in just 10 games for Memphis. In those appearances, Gibson averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Last week, the Grizzlies traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans promptly waived him, leading to Gibson's decision to retire from playing. He expressed thanks to the Grizzlies organization for the opportunity, which allowed him to reach the milestone of 17 NBA seasons.
Gibson's signing was always more about guidance than statistics. At 41, he was the second-oldest active player in the league behind LeBron James. His role was to mentor younger players in the locker room during a tough stretch for the franchise.
The team's recent form shows the challenges they face. Their last result was a 132-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on April 13. That defeat capped a difficult five-game run where they also fell to the Utah Jazz 147-101, the Denver Nuggets 136-119, the Cleveland Cavaliers 142-126, and the Milwaukee Bucks 131-115. You can review the full schedule on our schedule page.
His departure marks the end of a brief but symbolically important chapter as the Grizzlies look ahead.
Gibson's next step is a return to his roots. He will begin a new chapter as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls, working under head coach Tiago Splitter. Gibson was drafted by Chicago in 2009 and spent nearly eight seasons there, often as a key rotation player and Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
The transition to coaching feels natural. In his final three seasons across the league, he played only 67 total games, evolving into a respected veteran presence. He aims to use his extensive experience to help develop Bulls players.
For the Memphis Grizzlies, the focus shifts to regrouping after a tough end to the season. The team must build on the experience gained by its core players and address its performance. The search for consistent contributors and leaders continues as they plan for the future.
