Gibson’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, and Gar Forman have been working on a new deal for the better part of this offseason. The Bulls value Gibson and pride themselves on selecting him late in the first round of the 2009 draft, and Gibson loves being in Chicago. He loves the city and the Bulls and loves being around his teammates and coaching staff.

As much as Forman harps about the organization and Thibodeau seeing eye to eye on staying together long term, it is actually Gibson and the Bulls who seem to be just that: On the same page, closer to an extension.

“Both sides have the same interests: They value Taj and Taj loves being a Bull,” Bartelstein told RealGM in a phone conversation on Thursday. “He hopes to stay in Chicago.

“Both sides want a long-term marriage.”

After a trying offseason that had the Bulls ducking from committing to contracts they could get rid of, nothing but signing Thibodeau and Gibson to extensions will allow the organization to save face and end on a high note. From the court to the negotiating room, and back, during the offseason, this is a successful coach-player partnership, one it is up to Bulls management to maintain.