Official waiver in New Orleans
The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forward Taj Gibson with immediate effect, leaving the veteran without an NBA team one day after acquiring him from the Memphis Grizzlies. The move, effective on September 9, confirms his exit from the franchise and sends him through waivers.
The transaction is listed on NBA.com oficial and was detailed by Hoops Rumors, which explains that Gibson reached New Orleans as a salary-matching piece in the four-player trade completed on Tuesday.
Background and context
Gibson, 41 years old and 6-foot-9, is in his 17th NBA season. The New York native arrived with AJ Johnson in the deal that sent Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to Memphis, with his Pelicans stint widely expected to be brief for cap reasons. Hoops Rumors notes that New Orleans will be on the hook for a partial guarantee worth $148,828, but not for the remainder of his $3,815,861 salary.
What the waiver means
By leaving the Pelicans roster, Gibson no longer occupies a preseason spot and now goes through waivers. If he clears, he will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, September 11. He will be ineligible to return to the Grizzlies but could sign with any other NBA team.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans plan to keep Johnson and evaluate him during training camp, according to the same report. For Gibson, the waiver ends a one-day stop in New Orleans and returns him to the market as available veteran frontcourt depth with leadership and interior presence.
