# Anthony Gill may be next to swap bench for staff > Taj Gibson’s Bulls move gives Washington a clear model for keeping Anthony Gill without using a roster spot. - Title: Anthony Gill may be next to swap bench for staff | Shortify - Summary: Taj Gibson’s Bulls move gives Washington a clear model for keeping Anthony Gill without using a roster spot. Gill’s value to Washington may now fit better on… - Keywords: washington wizards, anthony gill, taj gibson, chicago bulls, tiago splitter, brian keefe, nba, assistant coach, free agency, roster spot, locker room leader, alex sarr - Source: Washington Wizards On SI — https://si.com/nba/wizards/onsi/bulls-taj-gibson-decision-could-preview-wizards-anthony-gill-plans-01m2k33aqaj5 - Published: 2026-09-15T19:20:59+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: washington wizards, anthony gill, taj gibson, chicago bulls, tiago splitter, brian keefe, nba, assistant coach, free agency, roster spot, locker room leader, alex sarr ## The hard-to-measure role NBA teams often value veterans who steady the room more than they change games. That role matters, but it is hard to price on a 15-man roster. > locker room leader ## Washington had two The 2022-23 Wizards leaned on Taj Gibson and Anthony Gill as bench veterans. They played little, but their presence carried weight on a limited roster. > averaged around a mere 10 minutes per game ## Roster spots run out Teams can only keep so many culture-first veterans. Young players keep arriving, and guaranteed roster spots are too scarce to protect every mentor. > only 15 fully-guaranteed roster slots ## Gibson made the move At 41, Gibson is retiring after 17 NBA seasons. He is returning to the Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter. > returning back to his Chicago Bulls roots ## Gill is still waiting Gill remains unsigned weeks before Wizards Media Day. That makes Gibson’s path feel like a possible preview for Washington’s longest-tenured player. > does a similar fate await their longest-tenured player? ## His market is narrow Gill has only played for the Wizards since reaching the NBA in 2020-21. Even after his best statistical season, his value is still tied mostly to Washington. > only ever known the Wizards ## Community ties matter Gill is known in the DMV for service as much as basketball. A recent Wizards 9/11 tribute showed him still close to the team, even without a public deal. > his status still remains publicly-ambiguous ## Washington looked around The Wizards have explored other veteran ideas instead of quickly re-signing Gill. Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan rumors passed while Gill stayed unsigned. > his wait silently persists ## Coaching solves a problem A staff role could keep Gill inside the building without costing Washington its final roster spot. NBA teams are not boxed in by the same coach limit. > without sacrificing a precious playable roster spot ## His minutes may vanish Gill helped during thin stretches last season, but the frontcourt is changing. Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton leave less need for a deep-bench scorer. > he won't be quite so leaned upon ## The teammate case Brian Keefe has praised Gill’s rare teammate value. That reputation is the reason he lasted this long, even when his on-court role stayed small. > You could write a book on how great of a teammate Anthony Gill is. ## A new Wizards chapter As Washington tries to win more, Gill’s best fit may change. The same character that made him a trusted player could make him useful a few seats down the bench. > shape-shift in real time ## Key takeaway Gill’s value to Washington may now fit better on the coaching staff than at the end of the bench.