Bulls agree to deal with Hinrich
MIAMI (AP) - Hours before the regular season began, the Chicago Bulls already had something to celebrate.
Guard Kirk Hinrich and the Bulls agreed Tuesday on a five-year extension, the maximum length allowed under league rules. The deal, which kicks in at the start of next season, is believed to be worth about US$47.5 million.
If Hinrich had not accepted the deal by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, he would have become a restricted free agent next summer and the Bulls would have had the opportunity to match any offer. Now, that angst-ridden process can safely be cancelled.
''It's a dream come true, completely,'' Hinrich said. ''To be with this organization, an organization that I grew up cheering for and was a big fan of and to be able to provide my family with security, it's just a great day. .. My parents used to scrap pennies to provide for me, and now I'm making almost $50 million playing basketball.''
Bulls general manager John Paxson, in a statement released by the team, said Hinrich's ''character and commitment'' also made him worth keeping long-term.
''This is a very good day for the Chicago Bulls organization,'' Paxson said.
Hinrich's scoring numbers increased in each of his first three seasons with the Bulls, from 12.0 points per game as a rookie to 15.9 last season, when Chicago won 12 of its last 14 regular-season games.
In 234 games with the Bulls, all but 10 of them as a starter, Hinrich - who was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft out of Kansas - has averaged 14.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.
He spent the summer with the U.S. men's national basketball team at the world championships, making three starts in nine games and helping the Americans win a bronze medal.
As recently as Sunday, Hinrich said he didn't think the deal would get done in time. But it did, and he signed it only a few hours before the Bulls opened their season with a 108-66 victory over the Miami Heat.
''It feels good,'' Hinrich said. ''Took a little bit of a long time, but I'm glad to have it done and just feel good to be a Chicago Bull. I'm just excited about it.''
