Thibodeau key to Thomas signing

Even though he'll turn 38 during the first week of training camp, veteran big man Kurt Thomas was still in demand this summer.

The biggest reason he chose the Bulls was their choice of head coach. Thomas spent five seasons playing in New York when Tom Thibodeau was an assistant.

"I know how much of a hard worker he is and how passionate he is for the game; how much time he puts in each day and night," Thomas said Monday after officially joining the Bulls as a free agent. "I guess I thought it would be a great situation for me."

There are plenty of stories about Thibodeau's dedication to his craft. Thomas has seen it all firsthand.

"Whenever I would come to the gym, he was there," Thomas said. "It wouldn't matter if it was early in the morning or late at night. He's a gym rat. If he's not out there on the floor, he's upstairs breaking down film."

Thomas' deal is believed to be for one year at around $1.5 million. He spent last season in Milwaukee, averaging 3.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.

During the seven-game playoff series against Atlanta, with center Andrew Bogut sidelined by an arm injury, Thomas started and averaged 7.9 rebounds. He's been known in recent years as an excellent midrange shooter who can thrive in pick-and-roll situations.

"(I'll do) what I've been doing the past 10 years," Thomas said. "Come in and rebound the ball, be a solid defender, try to anchor the defense. Whenever there are breakdowns on the floor, hopefully I can cover it up. Then when the opportunity comes to make a shot, knock it down. I think I can put the ball in the hole without a problem."

Hinrich hits DC: The Wizards formally introduced guard Kirk Hinrich on Monday in Washington. The Bulls agreed to send the veteran guard and their first-round draft pick, forward Kevin Seraphin, to the Wizards on draft night.

The deal was designed to open more salary-cap room and didn't exactly pay off because the Bulls signed just one top-level free agent, Utah forward Carlos Boozer. In return for Hinrich, the Bulls received the rights to obscure Belarus forward Vladimir Veremeenko.

"It was a bit of a shock," Hinrich said. "I really didn't see it coming. The last couple seasons, my name has been in trade rumors but this one kind of hit us a little bit blindsided."

Hinrich spent seven seasons with the Bulls after being drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in 2003. He left as the team's all-time leader in 3-point baskets.

"I'm very appreciative of my time in Chicago," he said. "I think our family is very excited for the change. I'm thrilled to have a fresh start. I'd been in Chicago a long time. We have a young, very talented team (in Washington) and I'm excited about the opportunity we have ahead of us."

Hinrich was often credited for being a mentor to Bulls guard Derrick Rose. Now he'll work with another point guard chosen at the top of the draft, John Wall.

"When Derrick first came to the Bulls, I really feel like I got too much credit for that," Hinrich said. "He was just very good. "

Pippen joins golf outing: Scottie Pippen has joined the list of participants at the Bulls' charity golf outing on Aug. 30 at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville. Tickets can be purchased by visiting bulls.com.