HoopsHype.com Rumors

Shams Charania: Taj Gibson contract extension with #Bulls is 4 years worth roughly $34 million guaranteed, up to $38-39M w/ incentives, his agent tells me. Twitter @ShamsCharania

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Shams Charania: As for the incentives in Gibson's new deal, they're both individual- and team-related escalators. Twitter @ShamsCharania

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

After walking away from what appeared to be the final offer from the Bulls for a contract extension with the Wednesday night deadline approaching, Gibson had a change of heart, inking a four-year deal believed to be in the neighborhood of $32 million, just minutes after a 93-87 win over the Sacramento Kings. Before the game, Gibson and his agent Mark Bartelstein not only seemed to have a line drawn in the sand, but seemed to have their minds made up on taking their chances in the 6-foot-9 forward becoming a restricted free agent this summer. “I highly doubt it,’’ Gibson replied, when asked in the pregame if there was going to be a change of heart. “That’s the way I see it. Just got to put it behind me, move forward, try to win games.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

While the money didn’t change, according to Gibson, some of the language in the deal did. “I just thought about it, but basically it was Paxson and Gar just stressing to me that I really want to be here for a long time,’’ Gibson explained. “It kind of dawned on me that I don’t want to be a selfish player, I just want to get what’s fair. I looked at the numbers, and that’s a lot of money. I couldn’t turn down that much money, especially for the security, you never know what can happen throughout the year. Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

KC Johnson: Taj Gibson's 4-yr extension is for just over $32 million guaranteed, with incentives that can take it to $38 million. trib.in/QVFYlk Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

David Aldridge: Source confirms four-year extension for Taj Gibson, with incentives that could make the deal as high as $38 million. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

“This is where I want to be,” Gibson said. “Both sides just came together and got it done.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

“It kind of dawned on me,” said Gibson, a valuable defender and energy player off the bench who will log starter’s minutes in 2012-13. “When you’re put in that position, it’s hard. It’s hard turning down that much money, knowing you have to go through a whole season without injuries. … Night in, night out, never knowing what can happen.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Taj Gibson on a multi-year extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed. “Taj has proven to be a key member of our team and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with him,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “We look forward to him to continue to develop his game and we are happy that Taj will be a Bull long term.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

KC Johnson: Taj changed his mind. Agreed to extension. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Aggrey Sam: Taj: $38M, 4 years Twitter @CSNBullsInsider

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

The Bulls are holding firm on a four-year extension believed to be in the neighborhood of $30 million to $32 million because Gibson can't be offered a deal by other teams next summer structured with a poison pill provision, like the one the Rockets used to steal Omer Asik last summer. Plus, at 27, Gibson is at an atypical age for a player exiting his rookie contract. The Bulls value Gibson's versatility but can match any offer he receives next summer if no extension is reached. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Taj Gibson 

Power forward Taj Gibson still was hoping he and the Bulls would be able to hammer out a contract extension before the deadline Wednesday for a player entering his fourth season. But there is growing speculation the Bulls might let the deadline pass and take their chances with matching an offer for Gibson when he can become a restricted free agent after the season. Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Taj Gibson 

"There have been good talks," Gibson said. "Hopefully get something done so I can just focus on basketball. … I have great coaches and teammates who have me focused on the right things. I don't think about it much. I turn my phone off. I go home and focus on the games ahead. It's going to be a big year. We have guys down. "My agent pops up at my house at 6 in the a.m. with (breakfast), saying, 'Here we go, we gotta go over this.' Every morning it's something new. It's a blessing to be in this position. Not many people can say they're in position to get an extension from a great team. But it's also not fun at times." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Taj Gibson 

The glue that holds the bench together remains Taj Gibson, whose starter skills make a contract extension Forman's priority. Even if Wednesday night's deadline passes without one, Forman doesn't worry about eventually losing Gibson to restricted free-agency the way the Bulls lost Omer Asik. "Totally different,'' Forman said, citing the CBA's "Larry Bird Exception.'' "If it doesn't get done, we'll have the opportunity to negotiate next summer when we can match any offer. He's part of our core.'' Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Taj Gibson 

Ken Berger: Talks ongoing between the Bulls and Taj Gibson, and they're expected to push up against tomorrow's 5 p.m. ET deadline, sources say. Twitter @KBergCBS

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Ken Berger: Correction: Extension deadline is midnight ET tomorrow, not 5 p.m. That will allow for seven additional hours of non-news. Twitter @KBergCBS

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Gibson joked that he had turned his phone off and was trying not to pay attention to all of the noise around him, but Bartelstein has been showing up at his house early in the morning to go over possibilities. "The majority of my time my agent just pops up at my house at like six in the morning with McDonald's and is like, 'Here we go, we got to go over this,' " Gibson said. "And I'm like (rolls eyes) ... every morning it's something new. But it's a blessing to be in this position. Not many people can say they have a chance to get an extension from a great team like the Chicago Bulls. I'm just taking it in stride, but it's not fun at times." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Gibson, who is believed to be asking for between $8 million to $10 million, has said he wants to retire as a Bull. The Bulls' front office has consistently praised Gibson as someone whom they want to be in Chicago for the long term. "I've stressed that many times that I want to be here," he said. "But there's only so much I can really do, besides take care of things on the basketball court. I have to let my agent and Gar Forman handle the rest of the business, but for right now I'm just focused on the Sacramento Kings (who open the season Wednesday at United Center) and playing basketball." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Talks between the Bulls and Mark Bartelstein, Gibson's Chicago-based agent, continue. Sources said the roughly $8 million gap over four years isn't atypical for this stage of negotiations. Gibson has said he wants to remain with the Bulls long term. He got a reminder of what chasing the final dollar can do on Saturday, when the Thunder traded James Harden to the Rockets. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson