Taj Gibson Retires From NBA, Joins Bulls As Assistant Coach

Taj Gibson has retired from the NBA after 17 seasons and will immediately join the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach. The 41-year-old forward announced his retirement on social media Monday, September 14, 2026, and multiple reports confirmed his hiring by the Bulls shortly thereafter. Gibson will join the staff of first-year head coach Tiago Splitter. He is expected to work directly with the Bulls' young frontcourt, including forward Matas Buzelis and rookie Caleb Wilson. The move brings Gibson back to the franchise that drafted him 26th overall in 2009. "Today is a very emotional day for me," Gibson wrote in his retirement post. "After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had." Gibson's playing career spanned eight NBA franchises. He spent his first eight seasons in Chicago and later played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and Memphis Grizzlies. He concluded his career with a 10-game stint for Memphis in the 2025-26 season.