The Chicago Bulls have hired Jim Boylen as new coach Fred Hoiberg's top assistant.

Boylen has 29 years of coaching experience - 17 in the NBA. He will serve as Chicago's associate head coach.

He spent the past two seasons on Gregg Popovich's staff in San Antonio and was the coach at the University of Utah for four years, leading the Utes to a 69-60 record and the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Boylen was also an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Michigan State.

The Bulls announced the hiring on Wednesday, about two weeks after they hired Hoiberg away from Iowa State to replace the fired Tom Thibodeau.

>>Suns' Granger Excercises Player Option

Phoenix Suns forward Danny Granger has exercised his contract's player option worth $2.1 million for the 2015-16 season.

The 32-year-old former All-Star was acquired by the Suns in February's three- team trade that sent point guard Goran Dragic to Miami, but never appeared in a game for Phoenix. In 30 games for the Heat before the trade, Granger averaged 6.3 points on 40.1 percent shooting.

In his 10-year career, Granger has averaged 16.8 points per game on 43.4 percent shooting with 4.9 rebounds for the Pacers, Clippers and Heat.

>>Hornets Excercise Option on Henderson

Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson has exercised his $6 million player option to remain with the team next season.

Hornets general manager Rich Cho announced Henderson's decision on Wednesday.

Henderson, 27, has spent his first six NBA seasons with Charlotte since the team drafted him No. 12 overall in 2009 out of Duke.

He played a career-high 80 games this past season, tops on the team, and averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He has averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 391 career games with 292 starts.