Kirk Hinrich to sign with Chicago Bulls

Once nicknamed "Captain Kirk" by Bulls fans, Kirk Hinrich will make his return to Chicago this fall. (Grant Halverson, Getty Images)

The Chicago Bulls have found the man to back up point guard Derrick Rose: His old backup. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Bulls have reached a verbal agreement with combo guard Kirk Hinrich, who played in Chicago for his first seven years in the league.

Hinrich was a valuable contributor in his first stint in Chicago, showing his versatility as he played and started at the  point guard and shooting guard positions. Hinrich's role lessened with the team somewhat after they drafted Rose in 2008, though he did log valuable minutes off the bench. Hinrich was widely credited with helping to mentor Rose, which the Washington Wizards hoped he could replicated with John Wall when the team traded for Hinrich after the 2009-2010 season. However, things didn't work out for Hinrich in Washington, and he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks midway through his first season in the nation's capital.

Hinrich spent last season with the Hawks, averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 assists per game, which shooting 41% from the field.