Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls Still Apart On Long-Term Contract Extension

Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls Hit A Roadblock In Contract Negotiations, According To Report

Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is one of the league's best, and he remains under contract for at least one more year. After that, though, he has no deal, and it appears negotiations between him and the Bulls on a long-term extension have stalled.

Via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

Free agency opens Sunday. And while Tom Thibodeau's contract extension talks have been ongoing for awhile, significant work remains, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.

The two sides currently are haggling over "contract length and value," according to Johnson. While Thibodeau is obviously valued, coaching salaries have gone downhill over the past year. Johnson also reports that the Bulls want to avoid the scenario they had with Scott Skiles, when they handed him a contract extension, only to be forced to fire him when the team tuned out his heavy-handed style.

Thibodeau has been magnificent in his first two years with the Bulls, winning Coach of the Year in 2010-11 and guiding the Bulls to a 50-16 regular-season record in 2011-12 despite Derrick Rose missing 27 games.

For more on the Bulls, visit Blog-a-Bull and SB Nation Chicago.

Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls To Discuss Long-Term Contract

The Chicago Bulls are looking to hold onto head coach Tom Thibodeau. The front office intends to sign the coach to a long-term extension.