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Taj Gibson: I told Thunder GM I want to be back

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Fresh off a five-game, first-round defeat, the Oklahoma City Thunder head into the offseason with some clear areas of need and a mandate to get Russell Westbrook more help.

Before they go looking elsewhere, they'll have to decide what to do about their own free agents, including big man Taj Gibson - who was acquired in a midseason trade with the Chicago Bulls.

Gibson acknowledged in his exit interview Wednesday that free agency will come with uncertainty, and that other suitors will likely call. But he said he's made clear to Thunder general manager Sam Presti that he'd prefer to return.

"I wanted to let Sam know I wanted to be here," Gibson said, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.

Gibson was solid, if unspectacular, after coming to Oklahoma City at the trade deadline, and he formed a ferocious defensive frontcourt with center Steven Adams. The Thunder performed marginally better with him on the floor during the regular season, and dramatically better with him on the floor during the playoffs. But retaining Gibson could prove difficult given both the team's roster construction and impending salary crunch.

Before even factoring in their free agents, or rookie contracts, the Thunder's guarantees for next season put them over the projected salary cap and just $12 million short of the projected luxury-tax threshold. They have a desperate need for shooters and secondary ball-handlers, and Gibson, for all his savvy and low-post physicality, doesn't fit either description. As it is, they'll be shelling out $40 million for two non-floor-spacing bigs - Adams and Enes Kanter - next season.

But having options is nice, and Gibson, at least, appears to have put the ball in the Thunder's court.

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