Hinrich Set to Re-Join Bulls
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 9, 2012 8:40PM
With Derrick Rose out for much of next season, the Bulls need help in the backcourt. Over the weekend, they found that help in a familiar face. The Bulls and Kirk Hinrich have verbally agreed on a deal that will bring the point guard back to Chicago a little more than two years after they traded him. Originally drafted to fill in for Jay Williams after his motorcycle accident, Hinrich will this time fill in for Derrick Rose after his ACL injury.
HInrich will sign a two years, $6 million deal to rejoin the franchise that drafted him in the first round of the 2003 draft. Hinrich played for the Bulls for seven seasons before they traded him to the Washington Wizards in an attempt to clear cap room for their pursuit of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. At the time, we thought Bulls management jumped the gun in dumping Hinrich instead of waiting to see where the big free agents landed -- Miami shipped Michael Beasley off only after the Big Three announced their intentions to team up in South Beach.
Hinrich was apparently devastated to leave the Bulls and miss out on the chance to play for Tom Thibodeau. As such, he apparently turned down bigger offers to return to the Bulls. He'll get his chance to play for Thibs while starting in Rose's stead at point until the former MVP returns to the line-up. He'll then split time with Rip Hamilton at the No. 2 guard spot. We think this is a great move for the Bulls, as they bring in a fan favorite who can play both guard spots and who will fit in well with Thibs' system.
With Hinrich's homecoming, C.J. Watson will not return to the Bulls. The club had a team option in the $3 million range, but with that money now earmarked for Hinrich Watson has apparently been notified that the Bulls won't be exercising it.