Kofi Inkoom
As the new season approaches, the Washington Wizards are waiving big man Taj Gibson and forward Xavier Cooks in order to maintain a roster of 15 players under standard contracts, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
Wizards had a roster dilemma this autumn, as all 17 players on standard contracts were entitled to fully guaranteed salaries for the 2023/24 season.
Neither Gibson nor Cooks were expected to play a significant role in D.C., and neither had any guaranteed money owed beyond this season, making them suitable candidates to be let go.
Gibson, a seasoned NBA veteran with 14 years of experience, spent the previous season with the Wizards, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in a career-low 9.8 minutes per game over 49 appearances.
Despite securing a new one-year, minimum-salary contract from Washington as an unrestricted free agent, the 38-year-old couldn’t secure a spot on the regular season roster.
If Gibson goes unclaimed on waivers, the Wizards will be responsible for his $2,019,706 cap charge, and he will receive his full $3,196,448 salary.
As for Cooks, the Australian-born forward had mostly played for the Sydney Kings throughout his professional career after going undrafted from Winthrop in 2018.
Following his contribution to the Kings winning a National Basketball League title earlier this year, Cooks signed a four-year contract with the Wizards in March, including two guaranteed seasons, which were last year and the current one.
Cooks’ $1,719,864 salary will remain on the Wizards’ books for 2023/24, but the team won’t be obligated to pay his $2,019,699 salary for 2024/25 or his $2,187,451 team option for the 2025/26 season.
With the recent signings of center John Butler on a two-way contract, the Washington Wizards now have a complete 18-man roster as they head into the regular season, 15 players with standard contracts and three on two-way deals.