After a two-year absence, veteran guard Kirk Hinrich reportedly will rejoin the Bulls.
Hinrich has verbally agreed to return to the Bulls, the Chicago Tribune first reported Sunday. Although the deal cannot become official until Wednesday, both sides are expected to agree on a two-year, $6 million deal that represents the team's mini mid-level exception.
Hinrich, 31, was the Bulls' first-round draft pick in 2003 and spent seven seasons with the team before he was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2010. He has averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 assists per game in 634 career games (515 starts). In 46 career playoff games with the Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks, Hinrich has averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 assists.
The addition of Hinrich should help to solidify what had been a depleted backcourt for the Bulls. He is able to play both point guard and shooting guard, so he can fill in for injured Derrick Rose early in the season while rookie Marquis Teague adjusts to the NBA game. After Rose's expected return later in the season, Hinrich can bolster the shooting guard position that currently includes only Richard Hamilton under guaranteed contract for next season.
-Tom Musick
