June 29--Kirk Hinrich will return to the Bulls for Fred Hoiberg's first season.
Hinrich, who will enter his 13th NBA season, picked up his $2.85 million player option Monday morning, according to his agent, Jeff Austin. RealGM.com first reported Hinrich's decision.
The Bulls expected this path from their 2003 first-round pick and his salary won't affect their free-agency plans or their knowledge they will be a tax team for just the second time in franchise history.
With Hinrich in the fold, the offseason focus shifts to signing restricted free agent Jimmy Butler to a maximum contract and bidding for unrestricted free agent Mike Dunleavy. The Bulls also plan to sign a veteran guard with a salary-cap exception.
Hinrich, 34, signed a two-year deal to stay with the Bulls in 2014.
