Forman says Bulls will pick up Thibodeau's option

CHICAGO (AP) General manager Gar Forman says the Chicago Bulls will exercise their contract option for next season on coach Tom Thibodeau and will try to negotiate a new deal.

Forman says Thibodeau is "one of the finest coaches in the league" and the Bulls are "hopeful he'll be our coach long term." He spoke Tuesday at a news conference to update Derrick Rose's recovery from knee surgery.

Thibodeau is 112-36 in two seasons. The Bulls tied San Antonio for the NBA's best record at 50-16 after winning a league-leading 62 games in his first year, even though they were rarely at full strength. They lost to Philadelphia in six games after losing Rose in the playoff opener.

Thibodeau dismissed a question about his contract, saying, he's "not worried" about it.

Updated May 15, 2012