Chicago Bulls

After 17 years in the Association, providing frontcourt stability to eight different franchises, Taj Gibson is calling it a career.

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The longtime veteran forward announced his official decision to retire on Monday, marking the end to a career that included steady production off the bench annually since 2009.

With his playing career over, however, Gibson is set to remain in the NBA, returning to his Bulls roots in a new position.

Here’s what Gibson said about his retirement and what’s known about his next steps.

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Taj Gibson makes retirement announcement

At age 41 coming off a stint with the Grizzlies last season, Gibson has gone unsigned this offseason, a clear sign that he may be mulling retirement after 17 years. On Monday, he made it official.

«Today is a very emotional day for me. After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had. Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage. From Fort Greene Projects to USC, to the Chicago Bulls, and every team and city that came after, I’m grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and every person who believed in me,» Gibson wrote on X. «I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court.

«To my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my agent, the NBA , NBPA and the fans, thank you. You were all a part of this journey. But this isn’t goodbye to Basketball. It’s the beginning of a new chapter. After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me. Thank you Basketball.»

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Today is a very emotional day for me.

After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had.

Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage. From… pic.twitter.com/tQAgHoUYl6

— Taj Gibson (@TajGibson) September 14, 2026

Gibson was selected 26th overall out of USC in the 2009 NBA Draft to the Bulls. It was in Chicago that the forward established himself as one of the most reliable frontcourt players in the league, finishing on an All-Rookie team in 2010 and second in Sixth Man of the Year award voting in 2013-14.

After helping lead the Bulls to a few playoff trips, Gibson became a journeyman, bringing veteran production to the Thunder, Timberwolves, Knicks, Wizards, Pistons, Hornets and Grizzlies over the years.

What is Taj Gibson’s new Bulls role?

As part of his retirement announcement, multiple reporters also revealed that Gibson is now set to return to Chicago, hired by the Bulls as an assistant coach on Tiago Splitter’s new staff.

Gibson will be a coach for the first time, starting a new era of his basketball career with his most beloved franchise.

Sources: The Chicago Bulls are hiring Taj Gibson as an assistant coach. Gibson played eight seasons for the Bulls. He averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 17 NBA seasons with the Bulls, Thunder, Timberwolves, Knicks, Wizards, Pistons, Hornets, and Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/hWhJDng3Z5

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— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 14, 2026