"Since Kirk joined us back in 2003, he came to play every time he stepped on the court and he always gave 100 percent. We will miss Kirk, but we believe we will be a better basketball team as a result of this trade," said Bulls GM Gar Forman.
July 8, 2010 -- The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has traded guard Kirk Hinrich, the draft rights to forward Kevin Seraphin and cash considerations to the Washington Wizards in exchange to the draft rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko.
“During this free agency period, we wanted to aggressively position ourselves to explore every avenue possible to improve our team. That said, it was not an easy decision for us trade Kirk, but one that we felt was necessary in order to make the Chicago Bulls a better basketball team,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Since Kirk joined us back in 2003, he came to play every time he stepped on the court and he always gave 100 percent. We will miss Kirk and wish him the best of luck.”
Veremeenko (6-10, 230), is a 25-year old native of Gomel, Belarus. Selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Veremeenko spent the 2009-10 season with Unics Kazan (Russia-A Superleague).
Seraphin (6-9, 264), was drafted by Chicago in the first round (17th selection) in the 2010 NBA Draft. The 20-year old forward played last season with Cholet Basket in France.
Hinrich, selected by Chicago in the first round (seventh overall) in the 2003 NBA Draft, spent the last seven seasons with the Bulls. In 514 career games (433 starts) with Chicago, Hinrich averaged 13.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.27 spg, 34.1 mpg and shot .415 from the field, .379 from behind the arc and .809 from the line. He also played in 34 playoff games with the Bulls and averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.41 spg, 35.8 mpg and shot .421 from the field, .405 from downtown and .757 from the line.
Hinrich leaves the Bulls ranking first in team history in three-point field goals made (812), first in three-point field goals attempted (2,144), fourth in assists (3,004), fourth in steals (655), fifth in turnovers (1,116), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.379), sixth in disqualifications (30), seventh in minutes played (17,502), eighth in points (6,902) and 10th in field goals made (2,510).