This summer the Chicago Bulls used their mini mid-level exception on Aaron Brooks. The 6’0 guard received a pay raise as he inked in a one-year $2.2 million deal with the Bulls. After the Bulls hoped Kirk Hinrich wouldn’t pick up his option, the veteran guard decided to return to the Bulls anyway despite upper management’s hopes.
It seems Kirk Hinrich’s role will be diminished close to nothing on the Bulls. He’ll be a player-coach at best on the bench, something similar to Nazr Mohammed last season. Kirk Hinrich clearly was losing his speed and ability to play, but Tom Thibodeau’s philosophy on “defense wins games” had him ahead of Aaron Brooks in the rotation. Fred Hoiberg wet through the list of players he wants to play and how he’ll use them, it even seems E’Twaun Moore will be ahead of Kirk Hinrich as well.
Aaron Brooks still has a lot to prove. The small guard had a bounce-back year averaging 11.6 points per game with the Bulls. With more minutes and a system that is highly favorable for point guards who can shoot, Brooks could be a lot more effective this season. The high volume scorer could have a rebirth of his career with the Chicago Bulls, at least that’s what Fred Hoiberg hopes as he plugs him into the rotation. With meaningful minutes, Brooks will have a shot to redeem himself.
