Taj Gibson's time with the New Orleans Pelicans is over almost as quickly as it began.
The Pelicans have waived the 41-year-old veteran just hours after acquiring him from the Memphis Grizzlies in the four-player trade involving Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy and AJ Johnson.
The move confirms what quickly became apparent after the trade was announced.
Gibson was never really part of New Orleans' basketball plans.
He was part of the financial mechanics that helped the Pelicans create room for Bennedict Mathurin.
From Memphis to New Orleans to Waivers
New Orleans acquired Gibson and AJ Johnson from Memphis in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap.
But Gibson's stay with the Pelicans lasted only hours.
New Orleans has now waived the veteran forward, with the team reportedly owing him just $100,000.
Johnson, meanwhile, will remain with the Pelicans for now.
New Orleans plans to evaluate the 21-year-old former first-round pick during training camp as he competes for a place on the roster.
That makes the two incoming players very different parts of the same trade.
Johnson is a developmental gamble.
Gibson was a salary mechanism.
Why Did New Orleans Make the Trade?
The bigger picture revolves around Bennedict Mathurin.
New Orleans agreed a two-year, $16 million deal with Mathurin, but needed additional financial flexibility to complete the signing while remaining below the first apron.
Moving Hawkins and Peavy to Memphis helped accomplish that.
Hawkins is due approximately $7 million this season, while the Pelicans were able to take back significantly less committed salary through Johnson and Gibson.
The trade reportedly saved New Orleans around $5.7 million and created the flexibility required to move forward with Mathurin.
Waiving Gibson was the next step.
Gibson's Role in the Deal
It may look strange to trade for a player and waive him almost immediately, but Gibson helped make the numbers work.
His contract contained very little guaranteed money, making him useful as a salary-matching piece without leaving New Orleans committed to his full salary for the season.
That allowed Memphis and New Orleans to construct the trade while giving the Pelicans the ability to move on from Gibson immediately afterward.
For Gibson, it means another trip into free agency.
The 41-year-old remains one of the NBA's longest-serving active veterans after beginning his career with the Chicago Bulls in 2009.
Whether another team comes calling remains to be seen.
AJ Johnson Gets His Opportunity
While Gibson departs, Johnson has a genuine opportunity in New Orleans.
The 21-year-old was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and remains an intriguing developmental prospect.
His NBA career has already taken him through several organisations, but the Pelicans intend to take a closer look before deciding whether he belongs on their regular-season roster.
Training camp could therefore become an important audition.
The Hawkins Trade Makes More Sense Now
Viewed purely as a basketball trade, sending Hawkins, Peavy and additional draft assets to Memphis for Johnson and Gibson initially looked unusual.
The financial picture explains much of it.
New Orleans wanted the flexibility to complete its Mathurin signing.
Hawkins' salary needed to move.
Memphis was willing to take it.
Gibson helped make the trade structure work and could then be waived at minimal cost.
Less than a day after the original trade, the Pelicans' plan has become much clearer.
Jordan Hawkins gets a fresh start in Memphis.
AJ Johnson gets an audition in New Orleans.
Taj Gibson returns to free agency.
And Bennedict Mathurin is the player at the centre of the entire chain of events.