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Veteran Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich sounded hopeful but not definitive that he will be able to return to action Wednesday when the Bulls embark on a West Coast trip. Hinrich missed Monday night’s loss to Boston after suffering a muscular strain in his hamstring and gluteus area last weekend. He underwent an MRI on Monday. “I’m happy with the progress and I’ll just keep trying to get better,” Hinrich said Tuesday after practice at the Berto Center. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

Guard Kirk Hinrich participated in all of Monday's practice after nursing a strained right groin for most of the week. The veteran seemed confident he'll be able to play in Wendesday's regular-season opener against the Sacramento Kings at the United Center. "As of right now, as long as I don't have any setbacks tomorrow, I plan on playing," Hinrich said. "I just felt that it was important for me today to go out and get some reps and just try to test it as much as I could." Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

The Bulls are under the hard salary cap restriction after using a portion of the midlevel salary cap exception to sign Kirk Hinrich. Candidates to be signed then include Jaric, Kyrylo Fesenko and other veterans without a job. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Kirk Hinrich, Marko Jaric, Kyrylo Fesenko 

Mike McGraw: Kirk Hinrich (groin) called day-to-day. Can't imagine he'll play in Friday's preseason finale in South Bend. It would be pointless. Twitter @McGrawDHBulls

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

KC Johnson: For 2nd straight day, Hinrich declined to address reporters. I've heard little concern exists that Hinrich will miss regular season opener. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau said Hinrich feels better but no determination has been made on his availability for Friday. Bulls just shot, watched film. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich left Tuesday night's game with a strained right groin. "I spoke to (athletic trainer) Fred (Tedeschi) at halftime and he said Kirk tweaked something," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It happened in the game." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

Thibs on Hinrich injury:"I don’t know how serious it is. If he needs time, he’ll get it. If he doesnt, he’ll play." Hinrich suffered a strained right groin at some point in the first half against the Thunder. He declined to speak to reporters. If Hinrich is sidelined, veteran Nate Robinson said he feels comfortable enough in the offense to play extended minutes. Robinson had eight points, four assists and three turnovers in close to 30 minutes. Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

Bucks coach Scott Skiles did his best lobbying job to get Kirk Hinrich to join the Milwaukee roster. But in the end, the veteran free agent chose to return to the Chicago Bulls, where he played under Skiles from 2004-'07. Hinrich, who played for Atlanta last season, signed a two-year deal reportedly worth $8 million. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Kirk Hinrich 

That changed for the Bulls All-Star point guard this offseason, when Rose admittedly went after Kirk Hinrich. Head coach Tom Thibodeau not only appreciated that, but also said it was further evidence of the maturation Rose has taken. "I think it's important,'' Thibodeau said of Rose reaching out like he did. "They've been friends for a long time. They have a lot of respect for each other. Derrick, his leadership, has really grown. He's gotten more comfortable. He's been here a long time now, so I think he felt it was the natural thing to do.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose 

Derrick Rose's stance on not “recruiting” players came to an end this offseason during the Chicago Bulls' pursuit of Kirk Hinrich. “Kirk is someone I could see playing alongside a long time,” Rose said at Bulls media day on Monday. “When you’re a hooper and you know someone on the court is going into a battle with you, and he’s not giving up if he knows you are going to keep battling and I’m someone that will keep fighting to the end, and he’s the same as you, so why not have him on the team? Kirk is the first person I recruited.” ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose 

Kirk Hinrich will make $3,941,000 in the first year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls and $4,059,000 the second one, we're told. That's a reasonable contract, if you ask me. Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich 

"The stars kind of had to be aligned," Hinrich said of his return. "I didn't have any preconceived notions coming into free agency that this would be my decision. It just worked out that way, and I'm happy it did." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich 

The Bulls on Tuesday officially will announce they have declined to match Omer Asik's three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet from the Rockets, sources said, paving the way for multiple signings that began Monday with Kirk Hinrich. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Kirk Hinrich 

Because the Bulls used a portion of the $5 million midlevel exception for Hinrich and the biannual exception to sign Bellinelli, it's impossible for the Bulls to match even Asik's $5 million starting salary and stay below the hard cap of $74.3 million. They will pay the luxury tax for the first time in franchise history. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Kirk Hinrich 

KC Johnson: Hinrich: "I feel good, confident that my previous injuries are behind me. Chicago was the right decision for my Bball career and family." Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries 

Kenwood Academy product Nazr Mohammed will be signed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal to replace Asik, sources said. As for Hinrich, he turned down more years and money from the Milwaukee Bucks to return to the franchise that drafted him. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Kirk Hinrich, Nazr Mohammed 

Nick Friedell: The Bulls make it official and sign Hinrich. The rest of their off-season dominoes will start to fall now. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich 

“We are pleased to be able to bring Kirk back to Chicago. His ability to play both spots in the backcourt will help us immensely this season,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Kirk’s tenacity and passion for the game complement our style of play, and we look forward to seeing him back in a Bulls uniform.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Gar Forman 

“I’m very excited to be back in Chicago and to wear a Bulls uniform once again,” said Hinrich. “I look forward to getting back out on the court as a Bull, and contributing to the team in any way I can.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich